This book looks at the history of weaponry from the earliest days of clubs and stone daggers through to modern-day heat-seeking missiles and "smart bombs." Innovations such as bows that could propel arrows farther than people could throw spears, and gunpowder, invented by the Chinese, are described, along with how these advances revolutionized warfare. Later, chemical and nuclear weapons were developed, and even the idea of fighting wars in space. The book also charts the evolution of security, from early locks and keys to digital security devices.