Advances in technology and science have contributed to one of the bloodiest and bloodiest wars in the annals of human existence. These new technological advances revolutionized the way people viewed war. War was no longer where opposing forces fought in a coordinated battle. War evolved into a game of cunning strategy in which the side with the bigger, more powerful, and smarter toys played better. This led to fierce competition in which each side sought to create smarter machines and better weapons, leading in the process to lethal weapons for mass extermination. One weapon or machine was created, and another even better one was made. New developments such as machine guns, poison gas, tanks, and a new strategy to counter trench warfare influenced the way World War I was fought and came with catastrophic results. Poison gas was perhaps the most feared weapon of all. Created to break the long stalemate of trench warfare, its purpose was to lure soldiers hiding in the trenches. One side would throw the poisonous gas into the enemy trenches and wait for the enemy to come out into open fire or die in the trenches. The first poisonous gas used in battle was chlorine at the start of the Second Battle of Ypres on 22 April 1915 by the Germans. Phosgene followed shortly thereafter. The effects of these gases were frightening. Chlorine was the most deadly since "within seconds of inhaling its vapors, it destroys the victim's respiratory organs, causing attacks of suffocation" (Duffy). Phosgene had similar effects, except that the effects began to appear after 48 hours of inhalation. In September 1917, the Germans introduced mustard gas or Yperite, contained in artillery shells, against the Russians in Riga. Those exposed... middle of paper... sophisticated weapons and machines, this total could have been reduced by almost half and demonstrated how destructive these weapons were. World War I technology laid the foundation for even more powerful and deadly weapons such as the nuclear bomb. Technology has made war even bloodier and more destructive than it already was. Works Cited Duffy, Michael. "First World War.com - Weapons of War: Poisonous Gas." First World War.com - A multimedia history of the First World War. Network. 05 February 2010. "Science and technology in the First World War." Shmoop: Study guides and resources for teachers. Network. 04 February 2010. "Technology During World War I: Facts, Discussion Forum, and Encyclopedia Article." AbsoluteAstronomy.com. Network. 05 February. 2010.