According to the Archaeological Institute of America, sometime just before the rise of China’s Song Dynasty (A.D. 960–1279), alchemists in search of new medicines found that, by combining nitrates such as saltpeter with sulfur and charcoal, they could create a chemical explosive. The Chinese called that potion “fire medicine”.
A picture is worth 1000 words . . . I thought of writing an assay on this subject but the thought of someone reading it reminded me of having to read the economic books in college. So instead, I complied a collection of excellent videos, produced by LionHeart FilmWorks, they present a pretty comprehensive history of firearms that you can just sit back while you learn and enjoy.
The Evolution of Firearms
1. The Evolution of Firearms – Episode 1 – Matchlocks to Flintlocks
2. The Evolution of Firearms – Episode 2 – Flintlocks to Percussion
3. The Evolution of Firearms – Episode 3 – The American Civil War
4. The Evolution of Firearms – Episode 4 – The Winning of the West
5. The Evolution of Firearms – Episode 5 – World War One
6. The Evolution of Firearms – Episode 6 – World War Two
7. The Evolution of Firearms - Episode 7 - Post WWII to Today