No. 10 - Congreve

Before you start sending in angry letters, we know the Congreve isn't technically a missile. It is, however, historically significant enough to kick off this Top 10.

Guided by a stick trailing behind it for balance, the Congreve didn't even remotely resemble the high-tech guidance systems of today. However, it established a role for the rocket as a bombardment weapon.

And what's more, in the "Star-Spangled Banner," when you sing about the "rocket's red glare," you are singing about the Congreve. It's the weapon that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the song.

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