-
The origins of gunpowder are not clear, but the Chinese reportedly had a rudimentary form of it in the first century, A.D. A mixture of saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal dust produced colorful sparks and smoke when ignited. The powder was used to make fireworks. Tubes of bamboo and leather, closed off at one end, were packed with gunpowder. Depending upon how the powder was packed and the size of the opening, a fountain of sparks or a bang would result when the powder was ignited.
Source: NASA -
The French army uses gunpowder rockets to defend the city of Orleans. During this period, arsenals thoughout Europe begin to test various types of gunpowder rockets as an alternative to early cannons
Source: Rockets -
Russian czar Peter the Great sets up a facility to manufacture rockets in Moscow. The facility later moves to St. Petersburg and provides the czarist army with a variety of gunpowder rockets for bombardment, signaling, and nocturnal battlefield illumination
Source: Rockets -
The English confrontation with Indian rockets came in 1780 at the Battle of Guntur. The closely massed, normally unflinching British troops broke and ran when the Indian Army laid down a rocket barrage in their midst.
Source: NASA -
During the early introduction of rockets to Europe, they were used only as weapons. Enemy troops in India repulsed the British with rockets. Later in Britain, Sir William Congreve developed a rocket that could fire to about 9,000 feet.
-
British forces use Sir William Congreve's military rockets against American troops during the War of 1812. British rocket bombardment of Fort William McHenry inspires Francis Scott Key to add "the rocket's red glare" verse in the "Star Spangled Banner"
Source: Rockets -
William Hale, another British inventor, invented the stickless rocket in 1846. The U.S. army used the Hale rocket more than 100 years ago in the war with Mexico. Rockets were also used to a limited extent in the Civil War.
Source: NASA
