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When and where was gunpowder invented?

Gunpowder is an explosive mixture of saltpeter (potassium nitrate), sulfur, and charcoal. The history of gunpowder goes back to A.D. 850 in China. Gunpowder was most likely created by Chinese alchemists—people attempting to produce gold artificially, by combining other substances.

Early gunpowder did not have the strength of the gunpowder used in today's weapons. In order to be truly explosive, gunpowder must contain a minimum of 75 percent saltpeter; early mixtures probably only contained 50 percent saltpeter.

The first use of Chinese gunpowder was in making fireworks. Later, the Chinese used it in crude cannons and exploding weapons. It is believed that the Chinese eventually found the correct proportions, which they used in primitive rockets.

Some authorities argue that "true" gunpowder was a European invention, although the Europeans may have acquired...

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