Database: The art and use of gunpowder

Gunpowder supply was a challenge throughout the American Revolution, especially for the Patriots. Some was imported from the West Indies, France, and Switzerland, but the Patriots also had to develop their own local industry. Making gunpowder, a mix of sulfur, carbon, and saltpeter, was actually not the difficult part. It was, however, dangerous, due to the risk of explosions, and manufacturing sites were usually built in isolated areas, or with a weaker wall to direct the potential explosion in a safe direction. Due to the saltpeter, gunpowder had a special taste and was sometimes used as a substitute for salt. It was also used sometimes for tattoos!