The
history of black powder started at some time prior to 1000 A.D. The
discovery of a mixture of potassium nitrate, sulfur and charcoal that is
capable of doing useful work is one of the most important discoveries of
mankind. Black powder made huge engineering projects possible and gave
access to minerals deep within the earth, and as such, helped in bringing
about the Industrial Revolution.
For hundreds of years, the process of manufacturing black powder was a
closely guarded secret. Black powder was a luxury item which was affordable
to only the most powerful nations, and as such, has radically changed the
history of governments throughout the ages. People have won their freedom
from the tyranny of oppressive governments by the use of black powder in
guns and cannon.
The chemicals used for making black powder have remained the same since the Chinese wrote about it in 1044 A.D. The ratio has varied with time and location and the particular type of black powder desired
