New Principles of Gunnery

work by Robins

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July 1, 2026

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Benjamin Robins, a British mathematician and military engineer, revolutionized the field of artillery with his work New Principles of Gunnery (1742). This publication challenged existing beliefs about gunpowder and projectile motion, establishing the foundation for future scientific study in these areas. Robins also invented the ballistic pendulum, a device that accurately measured the muzzle velocity of projectiles. This invention allowed gunners to precisely determine the speed of projectiles, significantly advancing the science of gunnery.12

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Benjamin Robins
…theory and practice with his New Principles of Gunnery (1742), which invalidated old suppositions about the nature and action of gunpowder and the flight of projectiles and formed the basis of all later scientific studies in these fields. His invention of the ballistic pendulum, a device allowing the determination of…
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…theory and practice with his New Principles of Gunnery (1742), which invalidated old suppositions about the nature and action of gunpowder and the flight of projectiles and formed the basis of all later scientific studies in these fields. His invention of the ballistic pendulum, a device allowing the determination of…
Read More

ballistic pendulum
…device in his major work, New Principles of Gunnery (1742).
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…device in his major work, New Principles of Gunnery (1742).
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