WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Gunpowder is the first explosive to have been developed. Popularly listed as one of the “Four Great Inventions” of China, it was invented during the late Tang dynasty (9th century) while the earliest recorded chemical formula for gunpowder dates to the Song dynasty (11th century).

Detailed explanation-2: -Chinese monks discovered the technology in the 9th century CE, during their quest for a life-extending elixir. The key ingredient, saltpeter, had been in use by this same culture since the late centuries BCE for medicinal purposes. It was found to be incendiary and immediately applied to warfare.

Detailed explanation-3: -Gunpowder made the construction and destruction of the land easier and cheaper allowing canals, roads and railways to be constructed.

Detailed explanation-4: -Papermaking, printing, gunpowder and the compass-the four great inventions of ancient China-are significant contributions of the Chinese nation to world civilization.

Detailed explanation-5: -Gunpowder was invented by Chinese Taoist alchemists about 1000 A.D. when they tried to find a potion to gain human immortality by mixing elemental sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter.