Science: Plastic Armor

The Army & Navy last week revealed another military secret: body armor—the first to be widely worn by foot soldiers since the Middle Ages—saved the life of many a World War II marine, soldier and sailor. Made of thin sheets of glass fiber cloth impregnated and bonded with resin, the new plastic armor proved tougher, pound for pound, than steel. Though not proof against a direct bullet hit, it was effective against shrapnel, especially useful in amphibious invasions.