of the appearance of the gunpowder propelled fire arrow, otherwise known as a rocket, more specifically a solid-propellant rocket, is disputed. The History of Song attributes the invention to two different people at different times, Feng Jisheng in 969 and Tang Fu in 1000. However Joseph Needham argues that rockets could not have existed prior to the 12th century since the gunpowder formulas listed in the Wujing Zongyao are not suitable as rocket propellant. According to Stephen G. Haw, there is only slight evidence that rockets existed prior to 1200 and it is more likely they were not produced or used for warfare until the latter half of the 13th century. Gallery See also Gunpowder Cannon Huo Che Hwacha Thai Isan Rocket Festival Jiao Yu Technology of the Song Dynasty Tracer ammo Science and technology in China References Bibliography . . Lu Zhen. "Alternative Twenty-Five Histories: Records of Nine Kingdoms". Jinan: Qilu Press, 2000. . . External links Great Chinese Encyclopedia - Ancient Chinese Rocket http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blrockethistory.htm http://www.spaceline.org/history/1.html Chinese Fire Arrows Gunpowder Rocket artillery Early rocketry Early firearms Arrow types Chinese inventions Artillery of China