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Who invented the bowie knife?

A popular weapon of the American West, the bowie knife was named after its creator Jim Bowie (1796-1836). Bowie was killed at the Alamo during the Texan war for independence from Mexico. According to some sources, his brother Rezin Bowie might have been the actual inventor of the knife. The knife's blade measured up to 2 inches (5 centimeters) wide and its length varied between 9 and 15 inches (23 and 38 centimeters).

Sources: De Bono, Edward. Eureka!., p. 218; Wallechinsky, David. The Book of Lists, p. 89.

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