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  1. Gunpowder - Wikipedia

    Gunpowder, also commonly known as black powder to distinguish it from modern smokeless powder, is the earliest known chemical explosive. It consists of a mixture of sulfur, charcoal …

  2. Gunpowder | Facts, History, & Definition | Britannica

    Nov 26, 2025 · gunpowder, any of several low-explosive mixtures used as propelling charges in guns and as blasting agents in mining. The first such explosive was black powder, which …

  3. The Dawn of Destruction: Who Invented Gunpowder and When …

    Dec 13, 2023 · Discover who invented gunpowder and its monumental impact on history. Explore the origins and evolution of this world-changing invention. Read more now!

  4. When Was Gunpowder Invented? The History of Gunpowder

    Nov 1, 2023 · Gunpowder is a mixture of sulfur, carbon (charcoal), and potassium nitrate (saltpeter) that is also commonly known as “black powder” due to its color. Compared to other …

  5. Gunpowder Facts, History and Description - ThoughtCo

    Jun 6, 2019 · Gunpowder was invented by Chinese alchemists in the 9th century as a propellant and explosive. Gunpowder includes charcoal, sulfur, and saltpeter, and is made by mixing …

  6. Gunpowder - New World Encyclopedia

    Gunpowder is a low-explosive substance that is used as a propellant in firearms. It burns rapidly and produces a large amount of gas, which produces a pressure wave inside the gun barrel, …

  7. Gunpowder - Castillo de San Marcos National Monument (U.S.

    May 4, 2015 · Originally, gunpowder was made by mixing elemental sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter (potassium nitrate). There was no definitive opinion as to what the ratios should be, …

  8. Gunpowder: How It Works | An Official Journal Of The NRA

    Jun 1, 2017 · What makes bullets fly? Here's a quick look at how gunpowder works, from the earliest black powder to modern-day loads.

  9. The History of Gunpowder: From Elixir of Life to the Revolution of ...

    So how did gunpowder go from a powder for immortality in 9 th Century China, to the fiery fuel of guns in Europe and the Middle East over 500 years later? The truth is, technological …

  10. The History Of Gunpowder - GUNS Magazine

    The discovery of gunpowder was a complex, accidental and ultimately world-changing event. Born from Chinese mystic traditions and chemical curiosity, gunpowder reshaped civilizations and …