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Chinese Gunpowder
Despite the innocent beginnings of the substance known as gunpowder, its volatile nature caused it to rise to prominence on the world stage as a new development in weapon technology. Gunpowder originated towards the end of the Thang dynasty in the the ninth century when the first reference to the mixing of saltpeter, sulfur and carbonaceous material exists. In a Taoist book there is an advisory against the mixing of these substances because the result could singe beards and destroy buildings being worked in. (Kelly 16) Alchemy contributed three critical elements to the fire drug which were purification and the process of observation and experimentation. Chinese alchemists labored to expiate the adulterations in the mixture because of the adverse effects they could have on the combustion reaction. Saltpeter became the most essential element of the fire drug.
Due to the large success of gunpowder in warfare, the Chinese banned the exportation of saltpeter and sulfur to prevent the spread of technology. This resulted in gunpowder becoming a state monopoly. The invention of gunpowder evolved into the first uses of a portable firearm, a predecessor to the modern day handgun. The Chinese held a belief that warfare was best from a distance. (Ross 1) The unit forms salts such as potassium …show more content…
As a result, engineers attached them to wooden frames and wheeled carriages. This was an early form of the cannon, relying more on the projectiles produced than the flame itself. Stronger saltpeter formulas were developed calling for stronger materials to house the gunpowder which led to a new need for tougher metals to use. When the fire lances were recognized for their potential for firing projectiles rather than flame, the first guns were born. (Sun 9) Guns experienced the same evolution as other Chinese weapons, developing from crude versions to more efficient, manageable

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