5 ms·

We live in a strange world. I guess because we are a strange species. Humans have been good at killing (each other) since the dawn of time (well... since we wer

by yawz 13y ago

We live in a strange world. I guess because we are a strange species. Humans have been good at killing (each other) since the dawn of time (well... since we were able push, hit, bite, etc. each other). So I don't doubt that if it wasn't for AK-47 then something else would have taken its place but it is, nonetheless, a very creepy thing to have your name becoming popular thanks to the one of the most popular killing tools/machines out there.

smokinjoe 13y ago
Reminds me of Mr. Gatling, although I don't think Mr. Kalashnikov thought his invention would bring about World Peace.
- saraid216 13y ago
  According to TallGuyShort's comment, he thought it could be used for defensive violence and was pained at the thought it was being used for offensive violence.
_delirium 13y ago
He did mention in an interview once that he wished he had become famous for inventing an agricultural machine instead: "Blame the Nazi Germans for making me become a gun designer. I always wanted to construct agricultural machinery." Quoted in this artice: http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2013/12/23/mikhail_kalashnikov_designer_of_ak47_rifle_dead_at_94.html http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2013/12/23/mikhail_kalashn...
- k-mcgrady 13y ago
  The BBC article I read on this mentioned something similar although it was more along the lines of he said didn't make any money from the gun, he would have been better off (made more money) by designing a lawn mower.
  - _delirium 13y ago
    I'm pretty sure it didn't have anything to do with the money, but his desire to improve production rather than destruction. Here's an article with the lawn-mower comment you're thinking of: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/jul/30/russia.kateconnolly http://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/jul/30/russia.kateconn... Another comment of his (quoted in the thestar.com article above) suggests that he didn't think much of making money from inventions: "At that time in our country patenting inventions wasn't an issue. We worked for Socialist society, for the good of the people, which I never regret".

by yawz 13y ago

smokinjoe 13y ago

Reminds me of Mr. Gatling, although I don't think Mr. Kalashnikov thought his invention would bring about World Peace.

saraid216 13y ago
According to TallGuyShort's comment, he thought it could be used for defensive violence and was pained at the thought it was being used for offensive violence.

_delirium 13y ago

He did mention in an interview once that he wished he had become famous for inventing an agricultural machine instead: "Blame the Nazi Germans for making me become a gun designer. I always wanted to construct agricultural machinery." Quoted in this artice: http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2013/12/23/mikhail_kalashnikov_designer_of_ak47_rifle_dead_at_94.html http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2013/12/23/mikhail_kalashn...

k-mcgrady 13y ago
The BBC article I read on this mentioned something similar although it was more along the lines of he said didn't make any money from the gun, he would have been better off (made more money) by designing a lawn mower.
- _delirium 13y ago
  I'm pretty sure it didn't have anything to do with the money, but his desire to improve production rather than destruction. Here's an article with the lawn-mower comment you're thinking of: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/jul/30/russia.kateconnolly http://www.theguardian.com/world/2002/jul/30/russia.kateconn... Another comment of his (quoted in the thestar.com article above) suggests that he didn't think much of making money from inventions: "At that time in our country patenting inventions wasn't an issue. We worked for Socialist society, for the good of the people, which I never regret".