The Molotov Cocktail: One Cocktail You Don't Want To Drink

Angela loves history and feels it is essential to our future to know the past—or else be destined to repeat it.

The Molotov Cocktail is not a cocktail ordered at a restaurant; instead, it is a homemade bomb often also known as the Molotov Bomb. The explosive gets its name due to the bottle container used. Gasoline or another flammable product fills the bottle with a wick sticking out of it. They are treated much like a hand grenade, where the person lights it then tosses them at their opponent, awaiting the explosion. It does not as instantly destructive as a grenade; rather, it sets the target on fire, slowly burning its way to destruction. A thickening substance is added to the cocktail to make sure it not only catches fire but stays ablaze. It became popular due to its cheapness to make and the availability of its supplies.

World War II Molotov Cocktail

What's in a Name?

Molotov Cocktail got its name from Vyacheslav Mikhailovich Molotov. During World War II, Molotov was the people's commissar for foreign affairs in the Soviet Union. He was neither the creator nor the first to use them. It was named to mock him because the Finnish Army would use them against him and the Soviet Union during the Winter War and Continuation War. They even mass-produced them, dubbing them Molotov cocktails.

When first coined after Vyacheslav Molotov, the Finns had claimed they were sending bread baskets to the staving Soviets. Instead, they sent down a massive bomb and called it the "Molotov Bread Baskets." As they sent them, they often would say, "a drink to go with the food."

Molotov cocktails were first used in the Spanish Civil War in 1936-1939. Spaniard General Francisco Franco had encouraged many to use these against the Soviet tanks throughout this time, although they called it by a different name, most likely a firebomb, fire bottle, petrol bomb, or gasoline bomb.

Exploding Molotov Cocktail

How It Works

Usually, a glass pop bottle or wine bottle, partially filled with an explosive product, makes up a Molotov Cocktail. Typically, gasoline or other flammable product like alcohol that would cause an explosion. Then the top is sealed airtight with rubber or another item that would allow an airtight seal.

Then through the seal, a wick of some sort, whether it be an actual wick or a rag, is placed touching the fluid as well sticking out of the bottle. The cloth or wick is lit, then thrown towards the enemy. When the bottle shatters, the gasoline spreads through the air, which will cause an explosion. In war, they often will throw it at a tank or vehicle, which will maximize the damage to their opponent. Some thickening products commonly used in the Molotov Cocktail are sugar, tar, egg whites, animal blood, motor oil, rubber cement, or dish soap, which allows for the fire to burn longer and cause more damage. Without this, the fire may end before any damage happens.

A Molotov Cocktail

Modern Uses of It

The Molotov Cocktail still is made today. On April 20, 1999, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold entered their High School in Columbine; then Harris threw a Molotov bomb in the library. Fortunately, it did not explode. Unfortunately, the one that was thrown in the cafeteria by Klebold did explode. Fortunately, fire sprinklers distinguished it.

Molotov cocktails are prevalent in both movies and video games, as well as war. Although they have become less common now that there are more high tech advancements in weaponry, they still provide quite the bang!

Citation

• The Bombs: The Columbine Guide-Eric Harris & Dylan Klebold Sue
  Photos and descriptions of the propane bombs, car bombs, timers, pipe bombs and exploives used by Eric Harris & Dylan Klebold. The Columbine Guide. Sue Klebold.
• What Is a Molotov Cocktail?
  You may have heard of Molotov cocktails, but do you know what they are? Here's a description of a Molotov cocktail and history of its invention.

© 2010 Angela Michelle Schultz

Comments

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on February 04, 2011:

Yeah, I think the movies may just enhance their effects. LOL. :) Thanks for commenting.

electricsky from North Georgia on February 03, 2011:

Thanks for sharing your bomb making expertise. They don't look that powerful in the pictures compared to what I see in the movies.

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on October 21, 2010:

Thank you Garnetbird. :) I appreciate the comment.

Garnetbird on October 21, 2010:

Very well written Hub

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on October 15, 2010:

I never realized that. Now I'm going to have to search how to make the Molotov Cocktail that you CAN drink is made of.

So ummm, what does the whole "hi Jack" thing mean, that would cause you to get ambushed.

Dave Mathews from NORTH YORK,ONTARIO,CANADA on October 15, 2010:

We learn something new everyday. Funny thing is if you go to a bar today you can order this cocktail drink by name. It is now a drink consumed.

One thing I would never recommend doing though is to greet your friend "Jack" in a loud voice at a busy airport unless you are looking to get in big trouble. Crying out "Hi Jack" is a great way to get busted.

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on October 13, 2010:

LOL. :)

Dallas W Thompson from Bakersfield, CA on October 13, 2010:

I will NOT drink to that!

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on October 13, 2010:

I think he knew back then, and I'm sure it didn't make him happy back then. Although it is a little embarrassing that the name stuck. LOL. Some of the readings were trying to claim he invented it, but I'm quite certain by my research that the version I put on here is correct. I got that from more reputable sources.

drbj and sherry from south Florida on October 13, 2010:

Thanks for the Molotov history, a_m. If Molotov were to return, he would not be a happy camper to learn what his name now stands for.

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on October 12, 2010:

Honestly, anything involving fire scares me. Thanks for the compliment though!!!!

Jason R. Manning from Sacramento, California on October 12, 2010:

Good read A-M. Kind of funny, that isn't something I would want to stand up and throw at a tank, but I am a little goofy.

God Bless.

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on October 12, 2010:

Apparently it's also really big for violent protesters as well.

Don A. Hoglund from Wisconsin Rapids on October 12, 2010:

Interesting history of these bombs which might be the forerunners of today's terrorist weapons.