In the thirteenth century, Roger Bacon discovered the main substances in gunpowder. The list of substances included charcoal, sulfur and a chemical compound called “saltpeter.” But because Bacon feared that his discovery might be used harmfully, he wrote the list in secret signs the people were not able to understand until 500 years later.

해석

In the thirteenth century, Roger Bacon discovered the main substances in gunpowder.

13세기에 로저 베이컨은 화약을 만드는데 들어갈 중요한 물질들을 발견했다.

※ gunpowder

화약

The list of substances included charcoal, sulfur and a chemical compound called “saltpeter.”

성분 목록에는 숯, 유황, 그리고 초석이라 불리워지는 화합물이 들어 있었다.

※ charcoal [ʧá:rkòul]

① 숯, 목탄

② 목탄 연필; 탄화(炭畵)

※ sulfur 유황

=sulphur

※ saltpeter [s:ltpí:tər]

① 초석(硝石) (niter)

② 칠레 초석 (chile saltpeter)

But because Bacon feared that his discovery might be used harmfully, he wrote the list in secret signs the people were not able to understand until 500 years later.

그러나 베이컨은 자기의 발견이 해롭게 이용될까 두려웠기 때문에 500년이 지나서야 사람들이 이해할 수 있도록 비밀암호로 적어두었다.

※ secret signs 비밀암호