What was a 10th century Chinese alchemist trying to discover when he accidentally produced gunpowder?

  3 Responses to “What was a 10th century Chinese alchemist trying to discover when he accidentally produced gunpowder?”

1. 

   Will says:

   February 6, 2012 at 3:06 am

   “The prevailing academic consensus is that gunpowder was discovered in the 9th century by Chinese alchemists searching for an elixir of immortality.”
2. 

   Mike real British says:

   February 6, 2012 at 3:47 am

   Perhaps a stir fry mixture
3. 

   Tinpanallycat says:

   February 6, 2012 at 4:37 am

   Acutally, he was looking for a propellant for FIREWORKS with no though to a military purpose, which is why it took 100 years or more before gun powder was used in anything but sky rockets fancy fireworks to amuse the Emperor