DON IPPOLITO had slept upon his interview with Ferris, and now sat in his laboratory, amidst the many -witnesses of his inventive industry, with the model of the breech-loading cannon on the ...

Scientific American is part of Springer Nature, which owns or has commercial relations with thousands of scientific publications (many of them can be found at www ...

In 1840, the former Swedish diplomat and gun foundry owner, Martin von Wahrendorff, patented a breech–loading mechanism for cannons. Its key component was a steel disc placed behind the projectile.

Scientific American is the authority on science and technology for a general audience, with coverage that explains how research changes our understanding of the world and shapes our lives. First ...

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the ...