The Gatling Gun was invented by American Dr. Richard J. Gatling in 1862 and patented in 1862. Dr. Gatling's inspiration was the massive death resulting from modern warfare of the time. His hope was to make the cost of war so great and horrible that less men would be injured since one could deal the same death 1000 could before. Eventually man would see the futility and cease war altogether. The Gatling Gun was capable of firing 600 rounds a minute and would be the forerunner to modern machine guns.
In 1877 Dr. Gatling explained his philosophy in the development of the weapon
Hartford, June 15th, 1877
My Dear Friend.
It may be interesting to you to know how I came to invent the gun which bears my name; I will tell you: In 1861, during the opening events of the war, (residing at that time in Indianapolis, md.,) I witnessed almost daily the departure of troops to the front and the return of the wounded, sick, and dead. The most of the latter lost their lives, not in battle, but by sickness and exposure incident to the service. It occurred to me if I could invent a machine--a gun-- which could by its rapidity of fire, enable one man to do as much battle duty as a hundred, that it would, to a great extent, supersede the necessity of large armies, and consequently, exposure to battle and disease be greatly diminished. I thought over the subject and finally this idea took practical form in the invention of the Gatling Gun.
Yours truly,
R.J. Gatling
Later his granddaughter Mrs. Albert Newcombe commented on his grandfather.
"He was a most peace-loving soul, and I remember that his reason for inventing that then-lethal gun, was to make war so horrible that it would end wars."
-Professor Walter
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