Thursday, September 1, 2011

Vyacheslav Molotov Cocktails

Posted by Rebecca

Celinicus (spelling?), a Syrian, invented the first Molotov Cocktail in 672 AD. Later, it was named and the Euros took all the credit.... wiki has no history of the Syrian but an interesting read about the naming nonethelessi:

"The Molotov cocktail is a term coined by the Finns during the Winter War, as a generic name used for a variety of improvised incendiary weapons. ... the Soviet air force made extensive use of incendiaries and cluster bombs against Finnish troops and fortifications. When [Stalin's 1st Deputy] Vyacheslav Molotov claimed in radio broadcasts that they were not bombing, but rather delivering food to the starving Finns, the Finns started to call the air bombs Molotov bread baskets. Soon they responded by attacking advancing tanks with "Molotov cocktails" which were "a drink to go with the food". According to Montefiore the Molotov cocktail was one part of Molotov's cult of personality which he highly disliked."

(I've been watching Netflix historical docs again... this one is called "Ancient Inventions: War and Conflict." I really recommend checking it out) http://movies.netflix.com/WiPlayer?movieid=70199863&trkid=4377511 or if your don't have netflix watch it here:

http://www.veoh.com/watch/v14081295CS7KtjC2


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