The discovery of fireworks parallels the discovery of gunpowder. All of the important chemical substances needed to make gunpowder—saltpeter (KNO 3), sulfur and carbon—were found in ancient China. The ...

When gun-cotton was first discovered, no other idea was entertained respecting its application than that of superseding gunpowder as an explosive agent. Since that period, however, it has ...

He took part in the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. The plot tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament to kill King James I and his government. The plotters were discovered and captured on November 5th.

Robert Catesby's initial plan was to tunnel under the Houses of Parliament and place the gunpowder there. But the plotters discovered they could actually rent a chamber directly under the House of ...