Oscar De La Huerte answered
Who invented the first missile really depends on what you mean by a 'missile'.
In English, a missile can refer to any object that is propelled through the air - although these days it is mostly used to describe a military self-propelled guided weapon.
Based on the above definition, the Taoists of 9th century China can be considered as some of the inventors of missiles.
Who invented the missile? The are a number of documented 'self-propelled rockets' being used as weapons between 1200-1300 in China.
It is hard to verify exact dates, names and authenticity - but we do know that the Chinese were making use of gunpowder during this time.
The following are also important dates/people related to the invention of the missile:
In English, a missile can refer to any object that is propelled through the air - although these days it is mostly used to describe a military self-propelled guided weapon.
Based on the above definition, the Taoists of 9th century China can be considered as some of the inventors of missiles.
Who invented the missile? The are a number of documented 'self-propelled rockets' being used as weapons between 1200-1300 in China.
It is hard to verify exact dates, names and authenticity - but we do know that the Chinese were making use of gunpowder during this time.
The following are also important dates/people related to the invention of the missile:
- The battle of 1232 that saw the Kai Feng Fu battle an invading army of Mongolians is one example of early rockets being used in battle.
- In the 18th century, Hyder Ali (a prince of Mysore in India) would invent a missile that made use of metal cylindrical barrels to channel the combustion force into significant propulsion power.
- The V-1 and V-2 missile bombs developed by Nazi Germany during World War II and were the first example of guided, operational missiles being used in warfare.
