Description

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Guns have had played both an indirect yet also tangible role in the rise and progression of global powers and industrial development over the course of history. In modern times, guns and the American gun culture hold an ambiguous role, from being a topic for dinner conversations to heated debates between aspiring politicians.The history of guns rides right along with the evolution of our armies and play a key role in changing the way wars were fought. This dates back to the early days of the 10th century and all the way up to modern times. During this time guns have experienced intense technical advances and economic developments that have increased the practicalness and also the lethality of guns.The first gun and gunpowder are widely regarded, although still disputed, to come from China during the 10th and 9th centuries, respectively. In the 10th century, the Chinese invented "Fire-spurting lances" which consisted of a bamboo rod or a metal rod to hold the gunpowder or the "huo yao", which means fire-chemical.Huo Yao was an ancient Chinese invention that was actually used historically as a cure for indigestion. While Chinese alchemists were actually seeking the elixir of immortality they accidentally discovered the volatile and explosive elements of this black powder.The fire-spurting lances were used during the Jin-Song wars within the Song dynasty era that began in 960 to 1279. These fire-spurting lances are recorded as the devices that were the first guns and also the first known use of gunpowder, in war or otherwise.The design of the fire-spurting lance was generally a small bamboo or bronze/iron casted rod that could be operated by a single person that would spew fire and lead balls at their opponent. The Chinese also created a more cannon-like device that would be held up by modern wooden frames and spurt gunpowder filled bombs that would explode upon impact causing great confusion and disarray and of course, death. These proto-cannons were aptly named Flying-cloud Thunderclap Eruptors or Feiyun Pilipao, in Chinese.These devices which mark the first uses of gunpowder-based weapons and artillery were described in detail in the Huolongling or the Fire Drake manual. This manuscript was written by Jiao Yu and Liu Bowen who were military officers, philosophers, and political advocates during the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).