An explosive mixture of sulfur, charcoal, and saltpeter, called black powder , was known to the Chinese centuries ago, its use in propelling missile was demonstrated shortly after 1300. the discoveries of nitro-glycerine and nitrocellulose shortly before 1850 and the invention of dynamites and the mercury fulminate blasting cap soon after, were epochal events of the high explosives era. Smokeless powder was first made in 1867. The demand for more powerful and uniform propellants for the space program offered a recent, new challenge. In times of war, increased quantities are required; for example, roughly 3 x 103 kg was manufactured in the United States between January 1840 and V-J day. Industrial and commercial use is very substantial 1.6 x 109 kg/year in 1982. Although a great many compounds and mixtures are explosive, comparatively, few of them are suitable for explosive use because of the critical restrictions on ability, safety, and price. Most explosive compounds are too expensive