When did gunpowder appear? The appearance of gunpowder is shrouded in a fog of legends. Some argue that gunpowder was still known by ancient Hindus for many centuries BC. Others believe that it was used by Alexander the Great. But most scientists agree that gunpowder was invented in China. From the very beginning, it was a mixture of sulfur, charcoal and saltpeter. Who and why guessed to mix saltpeter with coal and sulfur? Apparently, this will remain a secret of the ancient Chinese. The mixture could burn very quickly, and explode in a confined space. These properties of gunpowder determined its future for centuries. After World War II, great attention began to be paid to the airborne troops. These troops became the main ones after a series of local wars. For the Airborne Forces, special guns were created, called recoilless, using the reactive outflow of gases from a powder charge to reduce recoil.