Since weapons seem to be a hot topic these days I figured I’d share where and when it all began. The first gun was invented in China around 1280 A.D. The reason they came up with the concept is they figured out how to use black powder (gun powder) as an explosive; of course China also invented fireworks.
The first gun was a round tube (no handle), made out of various materials including bamboo. It was about a foot long with an opening at both ends and fired comparably to how Roman Candles do today. They would place gun powder in one end and rock fragments or various debris in the other. Then they’d hold the tube away from their body and light the powder. Of course figuring out how much powder to use and what type of container wouldn’t explode were their greatest challenges and led to many injuries and deaths.
Because the pressure from the internal explosion went out both ends the distance the weapon could fire was limited to around 10 feet. A bullet is designed to cut through air whereas the debris they were using wasn’t aerodynamic but it was never-the-less tremendous progress towards advanced weaponry. Now when a gun is fired all the pressure from the internal explosion goes out one end thus allowing the bullet to travel long distances.
China is responsible for many amazing inventions such as the compass, hydraulics, printing, paper, steel, etc. Throughout history they’ve had an edge over most countries militarily. Even today they are the true military superpower even though we once held that honor until massive budget cuts over the last eight years.
Firearms have come a long ways since their humble beginnings back in 1280 A.D. It’s also the subject of intense battles when it comes to our 2nd Amendment. This article wasn’t meant to discuss the evolution of guns just the fact that China was the first country to produce one. Even today China is one of the most innovative countries in the world and one that we should treat with extreme respect.
The first gun was a round tube (no handle), made out of various materials including bamboo. It was about a foot long with an opening at both ends and fired comparably to how Roman Candles do today. They would place gun powder in one end and rock fragments or various debris in the other. Then they’d hold the tube away from their body and light the powder. Of course figuring out how much powder to use and what type of container wouldn’t explode were their greatest challenges and led to many injuries and deaths.
Because the pressure from the internal explosion went out both ends the distance the weapon could fire was limited to around 10 feet. A bullet is designed to cut through air whereas the debris they were using wasn’t aerodynamic but it was never-the-less tremendous progress towards advanced weaponry. Now when a gun is fired all the pressure from the internal explosion goes out one end thus allowing the bullet to travel long distances.
China is responsible for many amazing inventions such as the compass, hydraulics, printing, paper, steel, etc. Throughout history they’ve had an edge over most countries militarily. Even today they are the true military superpower even though we once held that honor until massive budget cuts over the last eight years.
Firearms have come a long ways since their humble beginnings back in 1280 A.D. It’s also the subject of intense battles when it comes to our 2nd Amendment. This article wasn’t meant to discuss the evolution of guns just the fact that China was the first country to produce one. Even today China is one of the most innovative countries in the world and one that we should treat with extreme respect.
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