Colonel Paul’s Corner – Are You Limbered Up?

Today, most of us associate the term “limbered up” with preparation for physical exercise. The first use of the term dates back to the artillery units of the 18th century. The “limber” was a two-wheeled cart which carried ammunition and accessories for use with cannon or other artillery. It was pulled by horses, and the artillery piece was attached to the rear of the limber. Both pieces had to be hooked together before artillery could move. Hence the term, “limbered up”. The term referred to preparation then as today.

After the artillery piece was in place and ready for firing, the limber was detached and moved 50 or 100 yards to the rear to reduce the chance of it being hit by enemy fire. Gunpowder, cannon balls and other supplies were carried up to the artillery as it was needed. One item carried by the limber and placed near the artillery piece was a bucket of water and a mop. It was essential that the barrel of the gun be swabbed to ensure no sparks remained from the previous firing before the next charge of black powder was rammed down the barrel.

Another essential piece of artillery equipment was the “caisson”. The caisson was a two-wheeled cart similar to the limber. It was larger and carried more ammunition as well as a spare wheel. The “tire” or “tyre” was the outer iron band which fit around the circumference of the wooden wheel. A wheel was no good without a tire. The circular iron tire was slightly smaller in circumference than the wheel. It was heated to expand it. It was then fitted around the wooden wheel. As it cooled, it shrank to fit tightly.

Army trivia:

The Army, working with the Department of Agriculture, is responsible for an estimated 50 percent of the items we see in the snack aisle of our grocery stores. Pringles, a long-life food, is potatoes ground and dried into chips. Cheetos and Goldfish crackers are the result of an Army project to develop a dry, long-life cheese powder which would stick to food. Army research led to many of our current “energy bars”. The Army also claims credit for the invention of “super glue”. Eastman Kodak scientist, Harry Coover, discovered super glue in 1942 while working with the Army to develop a clear plastic gun sight. Super glue first hit the market in 1958. It saved many lives during the Vietnam War, as a spray version was used to seal wounds and stop bleeding.

Additionally, the Army claims all or partial credit for Duct Tape, two-way portable radios, the Jeep, the EpiPen and the first easily manufactured electric razor patented by retired Army Lieutenant Colonel Jacob Schick in 1930.

Perhaps the most significant Army invention was the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC). The ENIAC was the first electronic general-purpose digital computer. It weighed 30 tons and used 18,000 vacuum tubes. The original purpose of ENIAC was to compute artillery firing table calculations. It was 1000 times faster than any previous machine. It was difficult to program, and the Army hired six brilliant women mathematicians to do the job. The women were referred to as “computers” as the term originally referred to people, not machines. ENIAC was revealed to the public in 1946 and used until 1955. In addition to artillery calculations, it saw limited use for weather forecasting and hydrogen bomb design.

Change is never painful, it is only resistance to change that is painful”
                 Siddhartha Gautama, Circa 563-483BC
                 The founder of Buddhism, the religion without a God

By Paul Warrick: December 11, 2025 - Great Falls, Mt