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Gunpowder Processing Glossary
A Glossary of terms used in the manufacture of gunpowder.
Highly Charged Words
A light hearted catalogue of phrases and sayings in common use today,
which originated from gunpowder production and military use.
Established way back in the 17th century and acquired by the Crown in 1787, the Royal Gunpowder Mills has a very important place in both the history of Great Britain and of its home town of Waltham Abbey.
Described by a local historian in the 1730s as "the largest and completest works in Great Britaina" and in the 1860s by Colonel George Rains as the "best existing steam powered mills in any country", the Royal Gunpowder Mills certainly boast an illustrious past.
In operation for over 300 years, there was never a challenge the Royal Gunpowder Mills could not rise to in the development of gunpowder and explosives. Its superior production methods and high quality results earned it a reputation on an international level and played a significant part in the rise of Great Britain as an international power.
For the people of Waltham Abbey the "powdermills" offered both a place of employment for many generations and an industry and wealth for the town. At its height during WW1 more than 5,000 local people were employed by the Mills.
Echoes of this great heritage can still be experienced at the site today. In addition to the many historic buildings, some dating as far back as the 1790s, there is a network of canals which transported the explosives around the site, and a number of historic exhibitions on display.
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