Dictionary of Explosives

This 1920 reference work captures a pivotal moment in explosive technology, when new chemical discoveries were rapidly transforming warfare, mining, and industry. Arthur Marshall, a chemical inspector with the Indian Ordnance Department, compiled this comprehensive dictionary to address an urgent gap: the last such reference had appeared over a generation earlier, and the field had been revolutionized by new compounds, formulations, and proprietary names. The book systematically categorizes explosives into their two fundamental divisions, propellants and high explosives, while delving into specialized areas like nitrocelluloses and coal-mine explosives. Marshall's introduction reveals the careful testing and regulatory frameworks that governed these dangerous substances, balancing their undeniable utility with the imperative of safety. For historians of technology, military enthusiasts, and those curious about the chemical foundations of the modern world, this dictionary offers both a practical reference and a window into an era when explosive science was advancing with extraordinary speed.