Fuze

In military munitions, a fuze (or fuse) is the part of the device that initiates function. In some applications, such as torpedoes, a fuze may be identified by function as the exploder. The relative complexity of even the earliest fuze designs can be seen in cutaway diagrams.

Description

A fuze is a device that detonates a munition's explosive material under specified conditions. In addition, a munitions fuze will have a safety/arming mechanism that protects the user from premature or accidental detonation. For example, an artillery fuze's battery is activated by the high acceleration of canon launch, and the fuze must be spinning rapidly before it will function.

A munition fuze assembly may contain only the electronic or mechanical elements necessary to signal or actuate the detonator, but some fuzes contain a small amount of primary explosive to initiate the detonation. Fuze assemblies for large explosive charges may include an explosive booster.

Etymology

The word "fuze" is derived from the Latin fusus, meaning "spindle", referring to the spindle of material that was originally used for the ignition of bombs. Historically, it was spelled with either 's' or 'z', and both spellings can still be found. The Oxford English Dictionary now lists "fuse". In the United States and some military forces,fuze can be used to denote a sophisticated ignition device incorporating mechanical and/or electronic components (for example a proximity fuze for an artillery shell, magnetic/acoustic fuze on a sea mine, spring-loaded grenade fuze,pencil detonator or anti-handling device) as opposed to a simple burning fuse.

Audioslave (album)

Audioslave is the eponymous debut studio album by the American rock supergroup Audioslave and was released on November 19, 2002 (see 2002 in music). It features the hit singles "Cochise", "Show Me How to Live", "What You Are", "Like a Stone", and "I Am the Highway". The record was certified triple platinum in the US. "Like a Stone" was nominated for the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance.

Background

Audioslave was formed after Zack de la Rocha left Rage Against the Machine and the remaining members were searching for another vocalist. Producer and friend Rick Rubin suggested that they contact Chris Cornell. Rubin played the remaining Rage Against the Machine band members the Soundgarden song "Slaves & Bulldozers" to showcase his ability. Cornell was in the writing process of a second solo album, but decided to shelve that and pursue the opportunity to work with Tom Morello, Tim Commerford and Brad Wilk when they approached him. Morello described Cornell: "He stepped to the microphone and sang the song and I couldn't believe it. It didn't just sound good. It sounded transcendent. And... when there is an irreplaceable chemistry from the first moment, you can't deny it." The quartet wrote 21 songs during 19 days of rehearsal and began working in the studio in late May 2001.