Christian Caryl
In September 1940, a group of British scientists arrived in Washington. Back home, their country was making a heroic stand against Nazi Germany, which had conquered most of the Continent and was now trying to subdue Britain from the air. The members of the delegation were hoping that they could sway the Americans to their side. But rather than resorting to moral or emotional pleas, the scientists—led by Imperial College Rector Henry Tizard—had something more concrete to offer.
There was the resonant cavity magnetron, a remarkable innovation that would soon enable Allied forces to install powerful radars on their planes and ships. One American historian would later refer to it as “the most valuable cargo ever brought to our shores.” There was also the proximity fuse, which improved the accuracy of gunnery by magnitudes. There were advanced designs for jet engines, gyroscopic gunsights, self-sealing fuel tanks, and a whole host of other useful inventions.
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