Common questions about Mortar (weapon)

Short answers, pulled from the story.

Who invented the first mortar weapon in 1407?

Ch'oe Hae-san invented the first mortar weapon in 1407. He was the son of the renowned gunsmith Ch'oe Mu-sen and designed the device known as the wan'gu or gourd-shaped mortar.

When did mortars first appear in recorded history?

Mortars first appeared in recorded history in 1413 during a naval battle off the coast of Korea. This event marked the earliest reported use of mortars in recorded history.

What happened to the Parthenon during the Venetian siege of Athens in 1687?

A Venetian mortar shell struck an ammunition depot inside the Parthenon during the Venetian siege of Athens in September 1687. The resulting massive explosion destroyed the ancient temple.

Who invented the transportable Coehorn mortar in 1701?

Baron Menno van Coehoorn invented the transportable Coehorn mortar in 1701. His design was a lightweight mortar that fired an exploding shell with a fuse lit by the hot gases generated upon firing.

When was the Stokes mortar invented and by whom?

Sir Wilfred Stokes invented the Stokes mortar in 1915. The weapon was initially rejected in June 1915 but production was expedited through the intervention of David Lloyd George and Lieutenant Colonel J. C. Matheson.

What is the largest mortar ever developed in history?

The largest mortars ever developed include the Belgian Monster Mortar created by Henri-Joseph Paixhans in 1832 and Mallet's Mortar developed by Robert Mallet in 1857. Both weapons were 910 mm in caliber.