1. And its impact on the world
History of Gunpowder
And its impact on the world

2. Chinese Alchemists
Alchemy was the science of attempting to transform matter. The main goals of alchemists were to figure out how to turn metals into gold or to find an elixir that would grant immortality.

3. Accidental Discovery Saltpeter = potassium nitrate
It was mixed with sulfur and charcoal
The result was a mysterious powder from which, observers remarked in a text dated from the mid-9th century, "smoke and flames result, so that [the scientists'] hands and faces have been burnt, and even the whole house where they were working burned down."

4. Early Use
Used by the Sung Dynasty, tubes filled with gunpowder were attached to arrows and sent them flying across enemy lines.
The Sung Dynasty used gunpowder extensively against the Mongols, whose constant invasions into the country plagued the Chinese throughout the period. More gunpowder- based weapons were invented by the Chinese and perfected against the Mongols in the next centuries, including the first cannons and grenades.

5. Mind Games
The psychological effect alone of the mystifying new technology likely helped the Chinese win battles against the Mongols.

6. Migration
Gunpowder somehow remained a monopoly of the Chinese until the 13th century, when the science was passed along the ancient silk trade route to Europe and the Islamic world, where it became a deciding factor in many Middle Age skirmishes.

7. Gunpowder vs. Forts
Ancient forts were not designed to withstand cannon blasts. Square designs were easy to break through. Newer forts were designed in a star shape to make cannonballs bounce off at odd angles.