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  An exercise in alternate history

The Cold War was the impetus for such creations as intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), lunar landers and space stations -- and eventually gave birth to important inventions like the computer. But where would we be today in terms of technology without the push from the Cold War?
Examine three possible scenarios.red arrow

 
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Internet vs. the bomb
  War Breeds Innovation
 

The competitive nature of the Cold War fueled creativity among scientists and inventors. From the hang glider to the microwave oven, find out what we would not have today without such research and development.
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space race
  Would the Internet Survive?

There's a popular myth that the Internet was built to aid communication in the event of a nuclear war. Is this true?
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  What do you think?
How would the Net be used in a post-apocalypse world?
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then and now
  Where Are the Soviets?

Both the United States and the Soviet Union had an enormous pool of scientists feeding their military buildup.
Discover what happened to the Soviet scientistsred arrow

  Interactive Feature
Find out what some U.S. and Soviet scientists were doing during the Cold War and where they are now.
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Internet vs. the bomb
  Get A Full View
 

Examine the inside of the Apollo-era Mission Control Center, a space shuttle cockpit, or a replica of the International Space Station.
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Internet vs. the bomb
  An Interactive Timeline
 

Space Race Timeline With the launch of Sputnik in 1957, Americans began to fear they were lagging behind Soviet scientists in technology. Jump on board our interactive timeline as both sides compete to be the 'first.'
Launch the race
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  Had the Soviets Won?
 

What would have happened if the Soviets had won the race to the moon? Would the competition have set a man on Mars by now?
Tell us what you think
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Internet vs. the bomb
  Test Your Knowledge
 

Advanced defense systems, enhanced weapons, nuclear warning devices....do you know what they were called? Take our technology quiz to see how much you know.
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