Invention Timeline - John Adolph Dahlgreen, American Naval Officer; Invented a Rifled Cannon and Boat-Howitzers
b. November 13, 1809 and d. July 12, 1870
American naval officer. Designed the style of cannon known by his name; also invented a rifled cannon and introduced boat-howitzers with iron carriages. He published many scientific works on ordnance which have been used as text-books in the navy.
Hail, adamantine Steel! magnetic Lord!
King of the prow, the plowshare, and the sword!
True to the pole, by thee the pilot guides
His steady helm amid the struggling tides,
Braves with broad sail the immeasurable sea,
Cleaves the dark air, and asks no star but thee.-
O’er restless realms when scowling Discord flings
Her snakes, and loud the din of battle rings;
Expiring strength, and vanquish’d Courage feel
Thy arm resistless, adamantine Steel!
—Botani Garden: Dr. Darwin
1543—Bombs and mortars were invented.
1635—The early English guns were first made of brass; in 1847 they were made of iron.
1804, October 5-1877, December 24—Robert Parker Parrott lived. He devised and perfected the system of rifled cannon and projectiles known by his name. These were first put to the test of actual warfare in the Battle of Bull Run.
1824—A steam-gun was invented by Perkins.
1831, December 15—Needle-gun was patented.
1842—The artillery carbine was introduced.
1861, July 1—Steel guns were first manufactured at Trenton.
