Gunpowder

Films for the Humanities & Sciences (Firm) (Added Author). Infobase (Added Author). Looking Glass Pictures. (Added Author).

Summary: Few substances in history have had as profound an effect on mankind as gunpowder. And yet its discovery was probably an accident - a big bang, for one. This program examines the invention and history of gunpowder, as well as its surprising ingredients. As you can imagine, making gunpowder takes some effort. Gunpowder once needed saltpeter, and saltpeter needed poop. It turns out that secretions have such an explosive character due to microscopic bacteria, which produce the nitrates as byproducts of digestion. How did the man who founded the Nobel Peace Prize revolutionize gunpowder? And is gunpowder about to be replaced?

Record details

Physical Description: 1 streaming video file (30 min.) : sd., col.
remote
electronic resource (video)
Publisher: New York, N.Y. : Infobase, [2012], c2011.

Content descriptions

General Note:	Encoded with permission for digital streaming by Infobase on October 02, 2012. Films On Demand is distributed by Infobase for Films for the Humanities & Sciences, Cambridge Educational, Meridian Education, and Shopware.
Formatted Contents Note:	Introduction: Gunpowder: Quirky Science (0:47) -- Gunpowder Origin Myths (1:43) -- Gunpowder Ingredients (1:18) -- Europeans, Gun Powder and Poop (2:38) -- Sources of Salt Peter (1:07) -- Why Gunpowder Explodes (1:35) -- Chemistry and Firework Artistry (2:11) -- Fireworks Through History (2:40) -- Gunpowder as Weapon (1:59) -- Chinese Fire Arrows (1:36) -- Early Military Applications of Gunpowder (1:34) -- Gunpowder Changes Warfare (1:33) -- Smokeless Powder (2:46) -- Summary of Gunpowder History (0:30) -- Credits: Gunpowder: Quirky Science (0:45)
Restrictions on Access Note:	Access requires authentication through Films On Demand.
Target Audience Note:	6 & up.
System Details Note:	Mode of access: Internet. System requirements: Films On Demand platform.
Language Note:	Closed-captioned.
Source of Description Note:	Title from distributor's description.