Henry Shrapnel

Henry Shrapnel was a British Army officer and artillery inventor known for creating "shrapnel shells," explosive shells designed to scatter small balls of iron, or shrapnel, over a wide area when detonated. This innovation significantly increased the effectiveness of artillery in battle, particularly in the early 19th century. Shrapnel's design changed how armies approached warfare, emphasizing explosive projectiles that could damage troops and equipment from a distance. His name became synonymous with the debris caused by explosions, which continues to be referred to as "shrapnel" in modern warfare terminology.