Richard Jordan Gatling
American engineer, inventor of the Gatling gun
Born
September 12th, 1818
206 years ago
Died
February 26th, 1903
122 years ago — 84 years old
Category
Scientists & Innovators
Country
United States
Links & References
An American engineer developed the Gatling gun, one of the earliest successful machine guns. The Gatling gun was patented in 1862 and saw extensive use during the American Civil War. Its design utilized a rotating barrel and a hand-crank mechanism, allowing rapid fire compared to traditional firearms. Gatling's invention significantly influenced military technology and warfare strategies. Later, the design was modified and improved for increased efficiency and reliability in subsequent conflicts. Gatling's contributions to engineering extended beyond firearms as he patented over a dozen inventions during his career.
Invented the Gatling gun
Patent holder for over a dozen inventions
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