The Ingenious Half Cylinder War Hut

Created during World War I, the Nissen hut is a portable shelter shaped like a tunnel. Its clever design uses curved, corrugated iron sheets to create a surprisingly sturdy, easy-to-ship barracks for soldiers.

Major Peter Norman Nissen invented these structures to provide fast, modular housing for troops on the move. Because they were essentially large metal tubes cut in half, they could be packed flat and assembled anywhere with just a few basic tools. This design proved so effective that it saw massive service during World War II as well. Many were later recycled by civilians to serve as homes, workshops, or farm buildings long after the fighting stopped.