'Shipping Containers as Structural Systems', investigating the feasibility of using twenty-foot shipping containers as structural elements by the US military. During the 1991 Gulf War, containers saw considerable nonstandard uses, not only as makeshift shelters, but also for housing of US soldiers. The shipping containers were equipped with air conditioning units and provide shelter as well as protection from artillery shelling. Rumours have it that some shipping containers were used for transportation of Iraqi prisoners of war. Holes were cut in the containers to allow for ventilation. Containers continue to be used for military shelters, often additionally fortified by adding sandbags to the side walls, to protect against weapons such as rocket-propelled grenades ("RPGs"). The abundance and relative cheapness of these containers during the last decade comes from the deficit in manufactured goods coming from North America in the last two decades. These manufactured goods come to North America from Asia and, to a lesser extent, Europe, in containers that often have to be shipped back empty, or "deadhead", at considerable expense. It is often cheaper to buy new containers in Asia than to ship old ones back. Therefore, new applications are sought for the used containers that have reached their North American destination. Media Shipping container architecture has inspired the reality television series: Containables (DIY) and Container Homes (HGTV), in addition to being featured in episodes of Grand Designs (Channel 4) and Amazing Interiors (Netflix). See also Affordable housing Alternative housing Containerized housing unit Tiny house movement Shipping container clinic Containerization Modular building Prefabricated building Upcycling Off-the-grid References Further reading Books Kotnik, Jure (2008). Container Architecture. p. 240. Sawyers, Paul (2005, 2008). Intermodal Shipping Container Small Steel Buildings. p 116. Bergmann, Buchmeier, Slawik, Tinney (2010). Container Atlas: A Practical Guide to Container Architecture. p. 256. Minguet, Josep Maria (2013). Sustainable Architecture: Containers2. p. 111. Kramer, Sibylle (2014). The Box Architectural Solutions with Containers. p. 182. Broto, Carles (2015). Radical Container Architecture. p. 240. Journals Broeze, Frank, 2000-12-01 'The Globalisation of the Oceans: Containerisation from the 1950s to the Present' International Journal of Maritime History | doi = 10.5949/liverpool/9780973007336.001.0001 pages = 439–440, volume 15, SAGE Publishing eissn 2052-7756 issn 0843-8714 oclc 21102214 Helsel, Sand 'Future Shack: Sean Godsell's prototype emergency housing redeploys the ubiquitous shipping container' Architecture Australia, September–October 2001 Myers, Steven Lee 'From Soviet-Era Flea Market to a Giant Makeshift Mall', The New York Times, May 19, 2006 Architectural