history of weapons

matchlock, musket and the naval mine are invented

Jul 21, 1644

1368 to 1644China’s Ming Dynasty drives firearms technology forwards. Developments include the matchlock, which eliminates the need to fire a gun with a hand-held match; the musket; and the naval mine.

Rockets

Jul 21, 1775

1750-1800 rockets become a pernenent fixture on the battlefield, having gone in and out of fasion over the centreries

shrpnel shells

Jul 21, 1803

1803The British army begins using shrapnel shells (invented earlier by the Chinese), named for their inventor Henry Shrapnel. They contain a large number of bullets released at high velocities on detonation. They are eventually replaced by high-explosive shells during the first world war.

revolver

Jul 21, 1836

1836American inventor Samuel Colt patents a “revolving gun”, which improves on several previous designs. Soon renamed the revolver, it is faster to reload than any other firearm, and remains popular today.

machine guns appear

Jul 21, 1855

1851 to 1861The first machine guns appear. The Belgian army’s multiple-barrelled mitrailleuse is soon followed by the Gatling gun – the first gun that can be continuously fired.

bullet proof vest

Jul 21, 1893

1893After the assassination of Chicago’s mayor, local priest Casimir Zeglen makes the first bulletproof vest that did away with heavy plates of metal. It is made largely from woven silk and works, but still fails to take off.

tanks

Jul 21, 1914

1914During the first world war, the British army introduces the first tanks.

manhatten project

Jul 21, 1942

1942The Manhattan Project, the United States’ attempt to build the first nuclear bomb, begins under the direction of J. Robert Oppenheimer.

anti satelite laser

Jul 21, 1997

1997The US carries out its first test of an anti-satellite laser.

guns that fire a million rounds a minute

Jul 21, 2007

2007Australian weapons company Metal Storm files a key patent for its gun, which fires a million rounds a minute.