TIME-LIFE A History of the Gun in 500 Photographs traces the fascinating evolution of firearms, as tools of security, shapers of military strategy, and ingenious feats of art and engineering. An accessible, quick-access guide brought to life with gorgeous archival and contemporary images, it will appeal to anyone interested in how guns have influenced America and the world. Few inventions have had as profound an impact on the course of civilization as the gun. The first handheld versions, Chinese fire lances invented in the 10th century, allowed shooters to spray flames and shrapnel through bamboo tubes. Today, the state of the gun is so advanced, it can be hard to comprehend: the electronic Australian Metal Storm rifle system can spray 180 bullets in less than 100th of a second. ( 500+ photos ).