French and English soldiers used tanks, for the first time in history, to fight their way through the bleak landscapes of World War I. These early battle tanks made little difference and a long-awaited miracle of warfare failed to materialize. How did the battle tank evolve from poorly-armored soapboxes to modern titans of war? What is the future of tanks at a time when few armed conflicts have a front line and terrorism is the greatest threat?

French and English soldiers used tanks, for the first time in history, to fight their way through the bleak landscapes of World War I. These early battle tanks made little difference and a long-awaited miracle of warfare failed to materialize. How did the battle tank evolve from poorly-armored soapboxes to modern titans of war? What is the future of tanks at a time when few armed conflicts have a front line and terrorism is the greatest threat?