Статья

The history of the invention of gunpowder

Now it is no longer possible to determine the time of the invention of gunpowder by the Chinese, however, according to the manuscripts that have survived to this day, it is believed that in the middle of the 6th century, the inhabitants of the Celestial Empire knew the composition of substances with which you can get fire with a bright flame. The Taoist monks advanced the farthest in the direction of the invention of gunpowder, who eventually invented gunpowder. Thanks to the found work of the monks, which was dated to the 9th century, which lists all certain “elixirs” and how to use them.

Much attention was paid to the text, which indicated the prepared composition, which suddenly ignited right after preparation and caused burns to the monks.

Thanks to this information, discussions about the place and time of the invention of gunpowder were completed. Well, I must say that after the invention of gunpowder, it only burned, but did not explode.

The first composition of gunpowder

The composition of gunpowder required an exact ratio of all components. It took the monks more than one year to determine all the shares and components. The result was a mixture that received the name "fire potion". The composition of the potion included molecules of coal, sulfur and saltpeter. There is very little saltpeter in nature, with the exception of the territories of China, where saltpeter can be found directly on the surface of the earth with a layer of several centimeters.

Peaceful use of gunpowder in China

In the early days of the invention of gunpowder, it was mainly used in the form of various noise effects or for colorful "fireworks" during entertainment events. However, the local wise men understood that the combat use of gunpowder was also possible. China in those distant times was constantly at war with the nomads surrounding it, and the invention of gunpowder was in the hands of military commanders.

Gunpowder: The First Chinese Use for Military Purposes

There are manuscripts by Chinese monks that allege the use of a "fire potion" for military purposes. The Chinese military surrounded the nomads and lured them to a mountainous area, where powder charges were pre-installed and set on fire after the enemy’s campaign. 

Strong explosions paralyzed the nomads, who fled in disgrace. Understanding what gunpowder is and realizing its capabilities, the emperors of China supported the manufacture of weapons using a fiery mixture, these are catapults, powder balls, and various shells. Thanks to the use of gunpowder, the troops of Chinese commanders did not know defeat and everywhere put the enemy to flight.