
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 …
Gunpowder | Facts, History, & Definition | Britannica
Jan 2, 2026 · 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 …
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!
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 …
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 …
Gunpowder - Wikiwand
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 …
Gunpowder: Origins in the East - Brown University
“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 …
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 …
The Rise of Gunpowder - Compact Histories
Jul 30, 2025 · Developed initially for mystical purposes, it soon became the cornerstone of military revolution. The rise of gunpowder transformed medieval sieges into explosive assaults, …
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, …