Where did gunpowder originate?

Gunpowder was first developed in China, likely during the Tang dynasty, by alchemists searching for an elixir of immortality. By the 9th century, Chinese texts described mixtures of saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal. Over time, gunpowder transformed warfare, mining, and later fireworks across Eurasia. It is one of the most influential inventions in world history.