‘Higher, always higher’: technology, the military and aviation medicine during the age of the two world wars

The history of flight has been strongly influenced by the interplay between physiology and technology. The human body defined the relationship between man and machine – it had to be protected from the cold, bad weather, high altitude, speed and bullets. Technological innovations offered a way to improve on aeroplane safety, and enabled pilots to exceed the limits imposed by physiological constraints. In particular, reconnaissance and bombing missions during World War II, which demanded flight at high altitudes, stimulated intensive scientific research and technological development. This research led to the construction of artificial environments for pilots and ultimately gave rise to space medicine.