http://www.gizmag.com It's the most effective killing machine in human history - a gun that, on its 62nd birthday, is still killing as many as a quarter of a million people every year, in every corner of the globe. Invented by a gifted tank mechanic to save Russia's motherland from the invading German hordes in WW2, the AK-47 went on to rise to global prominence during the proxy battles of the Cold War. Even today, a poorly trained militia group can become a force to be reckoned with once it finds a supply of AK-47s - such is its simplicity, reliability, affordability and sheer killing power. Abhorrent - yes, but with reference to its impact on humanity it is, sadly, among the greatest inventions of the 20th century. We take a look at this amazing weapon's history, its significance and its brutal dominance of world politics. Listen to the Podcast or en gizmag.com http://www.gizmag.com/kalashnikov-ak-47/12306/#comment-90118 http://www.gizmag.com/kalashnikov-ak-47/12306/#comment-90118 Tue, 08 Nov 2011 01:57:51 -0600 http://www.gizmag.com/kalashnikov-ak-47/12306/#comment-55585 http://www.gizmag.com/kalashnikov-ak-47/12306/#comment-55585 Mon, 04 Apr 2011 12:41:33 -0500 http://www.gizmag.com/kalashnikov-ak-47/12306/#comment-10048 http://www.gizmag.com/kalashnikov-ak-47/12306/#comment-10048 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:57:18 -0600 http://www.gizmag.com/kalashnikov-ak-47/12306/#comment-3940 http://www.gizmag.com/kalashnikov-ak-47/12306/#comment-3940 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 00:15:38 -0500 http://www.gizmag.com/kalashnikov-ak-47/12306/#comment-3931 http://www.gizmag.com/kalashnikov-ak-47/12306/#comment-3931 Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:09:47 -0500 http://www.gizmag.com/kalashnikov-ak-47/12306/#comment-3925 http://www.gizmag.com/kalashnikov-ak-47/12306/#comment-3925 Thu, 23 Jul 2009 17:07:33 -0500