Discovery
Gunpowder was actually discovered accidentally. It was discovered in the 9th century by a Chinese alchemist looking for an elixir of eternal life. He mixed together three different ingredients; sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate (saltpeter). The sulfur and charcoal act as fuels, while the saltpeter works as an oxidiser.
Gunpowder is classified as a low-explosive. This means that it will deflagrate (or burn, especially suddenly and violently) at sub-sonic speeds, instead of detonate, which is what a high explosive would do. Gunpowder was first described in 1044, in the "Collection of the Most Important Military Techniques" compiled by Zeng Goliang.
Gunpowder is classified as a low-explosive. This means that it will deflagrate (or burn, especially suddenly and violently) at sub-sonic speeds, instead of detonate, which is what a high explosive would do. Gunpowder was first described in 1044, in the "Collection of the Most Important Military Techniques" compiled by Zeng Goliang.
Development
Ancient Chinese "Fire grenade"
In the centuries following the Chinese discovery, gunpowder weapons began appearing in the Arab world, Europe, and India. The consensus is that the Chinese gunpowder recipe spread from China, into the Middle East, and then through Europe, where some of the basic gunpowder-based weapons first appeared.
Saltpeter had been known to the Chinese since mid 1st century AD. The Danjing Mijiue by Qing Xuzi (c. 808) describes mixing six parts sulfur to six parts saltpeter to one part birthwort herb, with the birthwort herb providing carbon instead of the charcoal.
Saltpeter had been known to the Chinese since mid 1st century AD. The Danjing Mijiue by Qing Xuzi (c. 808) describes mixing six parts sulfur to six parts saltpeter to one part birthwort herb, with the birthwort herb providing carbon instead of the charcoal.
What was it used for and what is it used for today?
Gunpowder was used for many different things.It was used to fill artillery shells, fireworks, and some say it was even used to fire cannon balls, whih were then used to create holes in the earth that would then trip over or even seriously injure the oncoming enemy. In Ancient china, gunpowder could be found in firearms, as well as other weapons technology like rockets and cannons, and also as an explosive, like in grenades and bombs.
Strangely enough, gunpowder was also used in mining and civi engineering. It was used to blast rock until about the second half of the 19th century, when the first high explosives were invented.
Today, "Gunpowder" in American English, is a term that broadly refers to any gun propellant, this project is about "black powder", which is generally not used in modern firearms. However, modern smokeless powders are used widely, in almost all firearms. Gunpowder is not used any more as a main explosive for mining due to it's cost relative to new alternatitives such as ammonium nitrate/ fuel ol (ANFO).
Strangely enough, gunpowder was also used in mining and civi engineering. It was used to blast rock until about the second half of the 19th century, when the first high explosives were invented.
Today, "Gunpowder" in American English, is a term that broadly refers to any gun propellant, this project is about "black powder", which is generally not used in modern firearms. However, modern smokeless powders are used widely, in almost all firearms. Gunpowder is not used any more as a main explosive for mining due to it's cost relative to new alternatitives such as ammonium nitrate/ fuel ol (ANFO).