Berthold Schwarz Berthold Schwarz Berthold Schwarz (sometimes spelled Schwartz), also known as Berthold the Black and "der Schwartzer", was a legendary German (or in some accounts Danish or Greek) alchemist of the late 14th century, credited with the invention of gunpowder by 15th- through 19th-century European literature. The purported period of Schwarz' activity (late 14th century) thus falls between the first reports of gunpowder in Europe (late 13th century) and the development of effective applications in artillery (mid 15th century). It is unclear whether Schwarz is a historical person. It has been suggested that he was a historical alchemist who had developed
FAO Schwarz FAO Schwarz FAO Schwarz is an American toy store. The company is known for its unique high-end toys, life-sized stuffed animals, dolls, and games. The second flagship store in its history was located on Fifth Avenue in New York City. It was a popular tourist destination and gained iconic status for its floor piano and cameos in major motion pictures. FAO Schwarz was later acquired by Toys "R" Us, which closed the Fifth Avenue flagship location in 2015. ThreeSixty Group, Inc. acquired FAO Schwarz from Toys ‘R’ Us, Inc. for an undisclosed amount in October 2016. The brand formally re-launched