First published in 1952, this book considers the foundation of the science of ballistics in the seventeenth century as a mathematical interpretation based on exact experimental investigation. The emergence of the theory of projectiles in the seventeenth century represented a significant contribution to the application of science in warfare and is a critical example of early science being directed by utilitarian considerations. Dr Hall here examines the science of ballistics with reference to its underlying mathematical principles, placing it in the context of the social and economic background of the seventeenth century, particularly in England.