What is Black Powder?
Black powder is an explosive which is made by mixing ground charcoal, sulfur, and potassium nitrate, also known as saltpeter. Until the middle of the 19th century, black powder was the primary explosive used for firing guns, making fireworks, and blasting in mines and quarries. It has since been supplanted by more efficient and stable explosives, although it is still used by enthusiasts of antique guns and some special effects specialists. Black powder is available through several manufacturers, although this easily combusted substance is dangerous enough that ownership and transport of it is restricted in some regions. The earliest black powder was developed by the Chinese in around the ninth century CE. The Chinese used it for firearms and fireworks, along with other applications, and it slowly spread into the West. As firearms grew more sophisticated, black powder grew more widespread, until the development of other explosives like smokeless gunpowder and nitroglycerin. A basic blac
