American Inventions and Improvements

A monumental record of technological ingenuity, American Inventions and Improvements by Charles B. Norton chronicles the rapid evolution of firearms, artillery, and military engineering in nineteenth-century America—a period when mechanical innovation was transforming both warfare and industry. Written by an expert in military science and arms development, the work offers a detailed survey of breech-loading mechanisms, repeating rifles, machine guns, explosives, and ammunition, many of which defined the modern battlefield.

Norton examines the breakthroughs of American inventors with technical precision and patriotic pride, highlighting the ingenuity that placed the United States at the forefront of military innovation and industrial progress. Illustrated with specifications, diagrams, and performance data, the book serves as both a technical manual and a historical document, reflecting the fusion of engineering skill and martial ambition that characterized the post–Civil War era.

Comprehensive, authoritative, and rich in detail, this volume remains an invaluable resource for understanding the origins of modern weaponry and the inventive spirit that reshaped the art of war.

Complete edition of Charles B. Norton’s 19th-century survey of American military inventions

Documents the development of firearms, artillery, and ammunition in the industrial age

Combines technical detail with historical and national context

Essential for readers of military history, engineering, and the history of technology