The Chinese began using fireworks in the seventh century as a way to scare off evil spirits. Fireworks evolved into gunpowder and the Chinese invented the first firearm during the thirteenth century. This rudimentary firearm was used to signal others and to begin celebrations. By the ninth century, the Chinese had invented black powder and by the tenth century, they had created the fire lance which is the predecessor to all firearms. Gunpowder made its way to Europe either by traders along the Silk Road from the Middle East or was brought during the Mongol invasion in the beginning of the thirteenth century. What began as hand-held cannons became flintlock rifles, then breechloaders and finally the automatic weapon of today. Springfield Armory in Springfield, Massachusettes, debuted the Springfield rifle in the 1850's. At this time brass was able to be worked into a more stable ammunition. Fixed ammunition put a primer,charge, and projectile in a brass cartridge. This replaced the need for custom making each round and the erratic performance of earlier guns. Just before the turn of the twentieth century, a new revolver was debuted by Colt and the S&W. It had a solid frame but the cylinder swung to the side to load and unload. It was double action meaning the trigger would both cock the hammer and drop the hammer to fire the weapon. Guns evolved rapidly from this point and many advancements were made during World War I and II. These brought us the automatic weapons of today.
A singles action firearm is the one that you always keep on cocking the hammer every time you want to shoot. The trigger can only release the hummer. While a double action gun is the one that the trigger can raise the hummer, then rotates the cylinder and finally releases the hammer. You don't have to cock every time you need to shoot. The first double action gun was developed in 1930 by Walter. It was PPK and P.38 models. They later gained a lot of popularity because everybody was waiting to have a double action gun.
The semi-auto gun has the potential to fire each round with one trigger or pull at a time. It was first invented in 1982 by Schonberger-Lauman. Conversely, a full auto gun can shoot as many shots as long as the trigger has been pressed. The chamber has no ammunition. It was developed because people were tired of cocking every time they want to shoot. This gun filled that gap.
The technology aimed at producing the best thing that reduces the effort required. The technique of the firearms changed single action mode to double action mode in the year 1930, where the first double action gun was developed in 1920-1930, the technology of the semi-auto rifle changed to automatic fully- automatic rifle. The development made it easy to use weapons, as much energy was not required.
The full auto machine gun remains the best regarding both speed and accuracy. It is because the time that is spent in cocking every time is used in focusing the enemy. It is very accurate and, it is the most recommended machines for the military forces. It also saves much time that is wasted in the semi-auto gun. Looking forward to securing a weapon, entirely auto is the best choice for you. have no struggle in the fully automatic rifle.
In our day to day lives, many people get engaged with firearms, most of which is the AK-47. The AK-47 rifles were as a result of mechanical engineering and were meant to improve on Russian security from countries such as Germany. The question many of us never ask ourselves is on who invented the rifle? Why did he or consider the rifle good for an army? Where was the rifle first used? What was its impact on the battlefield? And to what extent has the rifle has changed the current world? However, reading this article will help understand all these questions, starting from the history of the inventor to the way the rifle has changed the current world.
Mikhail Kalashnikov was born in the year 1919 November 10, as a member of a Loyal family residing at Kurya in Russia. He was recruited in the Russian army in the year 1938, and it’s during his call as a soldier that he was wounded, and laid at an army hospital. During his time at the hospital, he worked on an automatic rifle design, which facilitated the invention of the AK 47 rifle which has been used in many different nations as well as the most familiar firearm of all days. While in the army, he developed different tank unit related inventions. In his career, he was aimed at developing new weaponry as well as becoming a weapon contractor. He was motivated by the Germans who had automatic rifles for their soldiers, and he intended to invent one for his home country soldiers. Mikhail Kalashnikov was a militant general, mechanical engineer as well as an inventor, and he also served as a designer of small arms. He died at the age of 94 years December 23, 2013.
The designing of AK 47 started at 1941 in a hospital bed, and the process was completed in 1947 when the design was named Avtomat Kalashnikov. The weapon was introduced to service by use of a few selected units of the solvent army, and a year later, it became the standard weaponry for the Russian army in the year 1949. The weapon remains the most popular assault rifle even in the current world as it is considered to be reliable even under harsh conditions, has a lower production cost in comparison to European weapons, as well as being simple to use. The inventory of AK-47 led to the development of many other types of specialized firearms as the technology improves day by day. Statistics in 2004 indicated that, in 500 million firearms all over the world, about 100 million were the AK-47s.
AK-47 was introduced with the aim of strengthening armies in battlefields as well as helping states improve on their security problems upon invasion by enemies. Despite this, there are a lot of negative things associated with its invention. According to statistics, AK-47 contributes to more than a quarter million of human deaths in the world. The AK-47 rifle being reliable, simple to use, affordable, and its sheer killing power, many people have to be able to access the rifle illegally, raising the number of criminal cases in developing countries. In Africa, communities which practice cattle raids have been using this inventory to kill innocent people as they raid. Also, many illegal movements have been using the AK-47 rifle to attack places of their target promoting terrorism in the developing countries. Poachers, on the other hand, have been using the weapon to kill wild animals in the forests degrading the worlds’ tourism. The killing of these animals eliminates beauty of the wildlife.
In conclusion, the way the AK-47 rifle has been used since its invention has not been to the expectation of Kalashnikovs. The bad utilization of the weapon made him regret the day he made the inventory. Instead of changing the world into a good place, the rifle has been used in the killing of innocent humans, creating an unconducive living environment for the humans. However, people should look at the positive usage of the weapon, instead of using the weapon in disrupting peace.
Body armor technology is used to protect the user from bullet and knife injuries. In early days, manufacturers used silk in its making. However, with the increasing threats of gunshots from all over the world, developers have come up with great design advances.
The Making of Body Armor Technology
One component used in the making of the Body armor technology is the Aramid fibers. These are synthetic plastics that offer immense strength against bullets. The materials are also light in weight and therefore not a burden to the user. Kevlar and Teflon made from Para-aramids materials are the currently most used elements in developing body armor technology. Para-aramid is a development of the aramid and is lighter in weight. Kevlar and Teflon gained popularity in processing body armor technology in the early 1970s.
Initially, Kevlar could only find its use for protection from small firearms. These days, it is possible that it provides ballistic protection. Ballistic protection using Kevlar was however considered impossible in the past days. Body armor technology mostly associates with authorities. These days, however, every person can easily access Bullet proof body armor for advanced and discreet protection.
Civilian and Ballistic Plates for Military and Law Enforcement
Whether you are a private or in law enforcement squad in your street, it is likely that you are going to face some bullet and knife threats. Therefore, it becomes necessary that you buy yourself bulletproof body armor. And with today’s models, they are more flexible and light in weight. You need to wear the armor and keep yourself safe from all risks.
Body armor technologies are known to save lives. You need not walk around the streets if you are in the line of duty without the armor anymore. Keep safe from the bullets and knife threats by buying your body armor today. Remember, we have lost hundreds of officers in their line of duty in the streets. Most of the said deaths could have been prevented from happening if only these officers carried with them the protective bulletproof body armor technology.
Viking History
In Scandinavian history, the Viking age refers to the period between 790 to 1066, the earliest raids of 790 to the conquest of England by the Normans. Contrary to popular belief, Vikings were not a people bonded by any ancestral ties or patriotism. The common unifying factor was that they were from foreign lands and they were rather "uncivilized".The Most common characteristic is that they were not Christian and their culture and practices differed from other people. North-men, as they were commonly known, used the Baltic and Norwegian seas as sea routes. Geographically speaking, the Scandinavian region is what is present-day Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Vikings are described as a non-literate culture but usually depicted their alphabet and world on runestones. Their burial rituals often happened at sea with cremation being predominant. The social structure of Vikings was grouped into three; Jarls, Karls and Thralls. Thralls were slaves and the lowest ranked class. Karls were land-owning peasants who practiced cattle and plant farming. Jarls were the aristocrats of the Viking aristocracy. They were the highest ranked class, owning large pieces of land and livestock and horses as well as thralls. Sports activities included weapons training and combat. For entertainment, archaeological evidence suggests that both dice games and board games were common as well as social gatherings.
Weapons
Archaeological findings, as well as pictorial presentations, depict that Vikings made weapons of war. Weapons indicated social status. The whole arms ensemble, especially of a wealthy Viking, included a helmet, sword, shield and a mail shirt. Ultimately, Vikings were reputable for using hand axes as the main weapon in close quarter combat.
Ships
Viking technological inventiveness in shipbuilding offered much need tactical superiority during raids. The common Viking longships were efficient as they were fast, strong, light and easy to maneuver. A shallow draft ensured landings without the need for a harbor as well as easier river navigation. Longships were used for war while the Knarr were used for trade and exploration . A knarr had a broader build and was more steady to allow room for tools , livestock and more men .
Raids in Europe and Exploration
Earlier raids and explorations have uncertain reasons as to why they took place. There have been citations of overpopulation in Viking territories leading to their venturing out, but early Northmen were exploring and raiding for riches. The first Viking attack happened at the Lindisfarne monastery in 793 AD signalling the start of the Viking age. The raid of St Philibert's, an island monastery on Noirmoutier was the first recorded raid in continental Europe. By the end of the 19th century, England, Ireland and Scotland had become easy targets for Viking raids and settlement. These explorations led to raids and settlements on the British Isles. They explored inner Europe during internal European conflicts settling their farmers and traders. The end of the Viking age was signaled by events of 1066 in England. Most of the Northmen had been assimilated into Christianity.
