Corned gunpowder

The corning process converts gunpowder from a finely divided powder of undefined particle size into larger particles of defined size. Because the corned particles are larger, combustion occurs more slowly. Corned gunpowder is less likely to explode accidentally than is a fine dust of gunpowder. Because the corned pcirticles are all the Scime size, combustion occurs at a predictable rate, which is convenient for the user. 

Improved methods of combining the chemicals evolved and by the fifteenth century a form known as corned gunpowder had been developed in which the components were bonded together in small granules. 

After pressing, the gunpowder cake is broken and this corning or granulating is the most dangerous of all manufacturing operations. 

Bowen patented in 1883 the use of carbonized and pulverized lignite in lieu of charcoal in gunpowders intended for use in cannon. The same inventor patented in 1886 the use of charcoal obtained by carbonization of corn or other cereals Ref Dariiel(l902),80... 

Serpentine Powder. BlkPdr ground dry to a flourlike compn. At about the middle of the fifteenth century it was supplanted by corned powder (See also under Black Powder or Gunpowder in Vol 2, B169-L)... 

Corning Compressive process of formulating granular gunpowder. 

I suspect that every chemist, deep down, loves the Star Trek episode Arena (I assume here that all chemists are Star Trek fans, and feel free to challenge me if you can find one who isn t.) In Arena, Captain Kirk has to fight a big lizard-creature called a Corn using only his wits. Kirk subdues the Corn with chemistry, by making his own gunpowder from yellow sulfur, black coal, and bluish saltpeter, and using it to fire diamonds at the Corn out of a bamboo bazooka. (Never mind that the Mythbusters showed this can t work. Kirk found some titanium space bamboo or something.)... 

---