28 Responses to The Real Origin of Viking Raids. 1  Well done! 2  Thank you for this article. 3  The shutting of the ancient trade routes to Rome and the East by the Holy Roman Empire was the principle reason that the Rus trade routes down the Volga were established. 4  Pingback: Daily Stuff 5-20-13 MjÃ¶lnir | Ancient Light's Daily Stuff.
By Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Gunpowder or black powder is of great historical importance in chemistry. Although it can explode, its principal use is as a propellant. Gunpowder was invented by Chinese alchemists in the 9th century.Originally, it was made by mixing elemental sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter (potassium nitrate).y Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph.D. Gunpowder or black powder is of great historical importance in chemistry. Although it can explode, its principal use is as a propellant. Gunpowder was invented by Chinese alchemists in the 9th century.
The Chinese are credited with inventing the first gun. Leonardo Da Vinci was credited with making the first automatic lighting device, or real firearm. The Chinese had the first handguns, fire-spears and handcannons, technically known as guns with a canon lock.he first machine gun was the Defense Gun, invented by James Puckle in England in 1718. It was a single barrel flintlock gun with multiple revolving chambers. It was operated â¦ by a hand crank.