Quite the amazing New Year's Eve show in China... (aerial drones) [View all]

I can't help but remembering that the Chinese invented gun powder, and their first use for it was fireworks lol

Link to tweet

Discovery: Chinese Daoist alchemists stumbled upon the explosive mixture of saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal while experimenting with ingredients for immortality.

Early Use: For about a century, it was used for amusement, fireworks, and simple incendiaries, with early accounts mentioning burnt hands and houses.

Military Application: By the 9th century, it was adapted for warfare, appearing in weapons like flame-throwers and bombs.

Spread: The Mongol conquests in the 13th century helped disseminate gunpowder technology across Eurasia to the Middle East and Europe.

Significance: Gunpowder marked the first chemical explosive propellant in history and profoundly changed warfare globally.