Gunpowder: Origins in the East
13 Things
“Gunpowder,” as it came to be known, is a mixture of saltpeter (potassium nitrate), sulfur, and charcoal. Together, these materials will burn rapidly and explode as a propellant.
Chinese monks discovered the technology in the 9th century CE, during their quest for a life-extending elixir. The key ingredient, saltpeter, had been in use by this same culture since the late centuries BCE for medicinal purposes. It was found to be incendiary and immediately applied to warfare.
The Mongols soon emerged as an ambitious and violent society, and their conquests and invasions acted as a vehicle by which gunpowder would spread to the rest of the world. It is documented that the technology had reached the Middle East by the 13th century CE, at which point traders as well as crusaders would have come into contact with it.
The main problem with gunpowder at this time was that the ingredients had to be measured properly in order for the mixture to ignite properly and explode. Thus, knowledge of the required materials was not so much the technology as was the knowledge of the formula.
Perfecting the formula can be noted as the first major landmark in technological development. The most effective ratio (very approximate) was believed to be 1 part sulfur: 3 parts charcoal: 9 parts saltpeter, according to 13th century Arabian documents. Sir Roger Bacon had been experimenting with something 29.5% sulfur, 29.5% charcoal, and 41% saltpeter, however it was eventually found that the best ratio was 10:15:75 (the modern formula). The next big improvement came when 14th century Europeans began adding liquid to the mixture, forming a paste that would dry and could be ground into balls––this came to be known as “corned powder.” This greatly increased the practicality of the primitive bombs and guns, as corned powder was more durable, reliable, and safe (the dried paste would insure that almost all of the ingredients would ignite at the same time and explode as one).
As the European powers emerged into the Early Modern Period, saltpeter came into high demand as the key tool for warfare, or the “commodity or empire,” as one author put it. The British and Dutch were the key players in this act (as France and Spain could self-sustain their saltpeter supply at this point). India was found to be rich in the demanded resources, and thus various overseas trading companies were established to further the European interest. Examples include the English East India Trading Company, the Dutch East India Company, the French ‘’Compagnie des Indes orientales’’, and the Prussian Bengal and Asiatic Companies. This competition must quickly be compared to the scramble for oil in the 19th and 20th centuries, and was the first time that an element of a technology caused the world to mobilize to such an extent.
–The Elixir of Life.
–East India Trading Co.
Image sources: http://www.allstar.fiu.edu/aero/images/fire.gif, http://www.maritimeheritage.org/images/eastindia.gif
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Back to A History of Explosives: Chronology.
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I am an enthusiast with a profound understanding of the historical evolution of gunpowder, its origins in the East, and its transformative impact on warfare. My knowledge spans the intricate details of the components that constitute gunpowder, the cultural contexts that led to its discovery, and the subsequent technological advancements that shaped its use over time.
The article you provided delves into the fascinating history of gunpowder, and I will break down the key concepts and offer additional insights:
Gunpowder Composition: "Gunpowder," as known today, is a combination of saltpeter (potassium nitrate), sulfur, and charcoal. This mixture, when ignited, burns rapidly and explodes, serving as a propellant. The composition was discovered by Chinese monks in the 9th century CE during their pursuit of a life-extending elixir. Saltpeter, a key ingredient, had been used in China for medicinal purposes since the late centuries BCE and was later applied to warfare.
Spread of Gunpowder: The Mongols played a crucial role in the spread of gunpowder. Their ambitious and violent society led to conquests and invasions, acting as a vehicle for the dissemination of gunpowder technology. By the 13th century CE, gunpowder had reached the Middle East, facilitated by trade and interactions with crusaders.
Formula and Technological Development: The challenge in the early use of gunpowder was the proper measurement of its ingredients for effective ignition and explosion. Knowledge of the formula became a crucial aspect of technological development. The approximate 13th-century Arabian ratio was 1 part sulfur: 3 parts charcoal: 9 parts saltpeter. Subsequent experimentation, including that by Sir Roger Bacon, led to the modern formula of 10:15:75.
Advancements in Gunpowder: The article highlights the 14th-century European improvement known as "corned powder." This involved adding liquid to the gunpowder mixture, creating a paste that could be dried and ground into balls. "Corned powder" enhanced the durability, reliability, and safety of primitive bombs and guns, as the dried paste ensured uniform ignition and simultaneous explosion of ingredients.
Global Demand for Saltpeter: As European powers entered the Early Modern Period, saltpeter became a highly sought-after commodity for warfare. The British and Dutch played key roles in this, establishing overseas trading companies in regions like India to secure a steady supply of saltpeter. This global competition for resources can be likened to the later scramble for oil in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The historical journey of gunpowder, from its discovery in the East to its global impact on warfare and geopolitics, is a testament to the profound influence of technological advancements on human history.
