ORIGINS AND EARLY MILITARY USES Gunpowder originated in China during the third century BC, and can be considered as the earliest form of rocket fuel. Bamboo tubes filled with saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal were tossed into ceremonial fires to frighten away evil spirits. It’s theorized that a few of these bamboo tubes were imperfectly sealed and, instead of exploding, they were propelled out of the fire by the rapidly burning gunpowder. These were the first rockets. 2 of 32
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