Lu Xun once said in the article "The Pros and Cons of Electricity": "Foreign countries use gunpowder to make bullets to resist the enemy, but China uses it to make firecrackers to worship the gods".This sentence expresses a kind of disappointment and anxiety about the current situation of domestic society, as well as concern and appreciation for the development of science and technology abroad. However, this statement is not entirely accurate.
The invention of gunpowder
The invention of gunpowder can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty in the 9th century AD. The invention of gunpowder was accidentally discovered by an ancient Chinese alchemist during the process of alchemy. According to legend, during the Tang Dynasty, there was an alchemist named Sun Simiao, who inadvertently discovered a substance with strong ** properties in the process of refining pills. This substance was the precursor to gunpowder. Later, after continuous research and development, people finally invented gunpowder.
The earliest gunpowder recipes were made by mixing saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal in a certain proportion. This gunpowder is known as black powder because its main ingredient is black saltpeter. Invention is a great achievement of ancient Chinese science and technology, and it has had a profound impact on the development of world history.
The use of gunpowder in ancient China
In ancient China, gunpowder was used in a wide range of applications, mainly including the following aspects:
1.Military field: Gunpowder was first used in the military field. Ancient Chinese gunpowder** included rockets, artillery, muskets, etc., which were widely used in warfare, greatly increasing the destructive power and combat effectiveness of warfare.
2.Fireworks: Gunpowder was also widely used in ancient China to make fireworks. During the Chinese New Year, fireworks are set off to celebrate the festivities, a custom that continues to this day.
3.Medical field: Gunpowder was also used in the medical field in ancient times. The soot after the burning of gunpowder is applied to the wound, which has the effect of hemostasis, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic.
4.Recreational field: Gunpowder was also used to make fireworks and other entertainment items in ancient times. At the royal palace and banquets of dignitaries, fireworks were often used to add to the festive atmosphere.
5.Lighting field: Ancient gunpowder lamps were also an important lighting tool. Gunpowder is placed in a lampshade and when lit, it can emit a strong light.
The use of gunpowder in various dynasties
In ancient China, the invention and development of gunpowder went through a long history. From the Tang Dynasty onwards, gunpowder was gradually used in the military field. Here are the uses of gunpowder in various dynasties and generations:
1.Tang Dynasty (618-907): Gunpowder was first used in the military field to make rockets and artillery**, and the invention of gunpowder allowed the army to carry out long-range attacks, greatly increasing the range of attack and greater lethality. At the end of the Tang Dynasty, medicine began to be used in folk fireworks.
2.Song Dynasty (90-1279): Gunpowder technology was further developed and improved during the Song Dynasty. During this period, many advanced gunpowders appeared, such as earth muskets, artillery, etc. At the same time, gunpowder began to be used in the construction field, such as fortifying cities and making dams.
3.Yuan (1271-368): During the Yuan Dynasty, gunpowder continued to be widely used in the military field. The army of the Yuan Dynasty used gunpowder** to conquer many countries, and gunpowder became an important tool in warfare.
4.Ming Dynasty (1368-644): Gunpowder technology reached a stage of high development. During this period, advanced gunpowder** appeared, such as guns, artillery, etc. At the same time, gunpowder began to be used in fireworks, lighting and other fields.
5.Qing Dynasty (1644-1912): During the Qing Dynasty, gunpowder technology was developed on the basis of inheriting its predecessors. During this period, fire continued to gain widespread use in the military sphere and gradually made its way to Europe. The application field of gunpowder in the civil sector has also been further expanded, making fireworks, fireworks, etc.
Inventions derived from gunpowder
In ancient China, the invention and development of gunpowder had a profound impact on the military, culture, entertainment and other fields. Gunpowder gave rise to many important inventions, such as:
1.Rockets: Rockets originated in China, where gunpowder was used to make rockets as early as the Song Dynasty. Early rockets were mainly used in the military field, and later they were widely used in the civilian sector, such as for transportation, fishing, etc.
2.Artillery: Artillery uses the pressure of the gas generated by the combustion of gunpowder to fire a cannonball**. Artillery played an important role in ancient Chinese warfare, especially during the Ming Dynasty, when artillery was further developed.
3.Fireworks: One of the applications of gunpowder in ancient China was to make fireworks. The earliest fireworks appeared during the Tang Dynasty and were later widely developed during the Song Dynasty. Fireworks play an important role in traditional Chinese festivals.
4.Flares: In ancient China, flares were also a common application of gunpowder. Flares use the high temperature and light generated by the combustion of gunpowder to illuminate the battlefield, signal transmission, etc., during war.
5.Musket: A musket is an early firearm that uses the pressure of gases generated by the combustion of gunpowder to propel bullets into fire. Muskets first appeared in China and later spread to Europe and other places.
6.Incendiary: The high temperature and heat generated by the combustion of gunpowder can be used to make incendiary agents. In ancient China, incendiary agents were widely used in heating equipment such as burners and furnaces.
7.Sprays: The pressure of the gas produced by the combustion of gunpowder can also be used to make sprays. In ancient China, sprays were mainly used in medical, pesticide and other fields.
Therefore, it is inaccurate to say that gunpowder was invented in China only for fireworks. In ancient times, gunpowder was widely used in the military field, and its invention had an important impact on China's military. With the continuous advancement of science and technology, there are more and more types of gunpowder. Now, gunpowder is not only widely used in the military field, but also in the civilian field, such as fireworks, sprays, etc. The invention and development of gunpowder is one of the important milestones in the progress of human science and technology.