Gaston Glock, the visionary Austrian inventor responsible for developing the ubiquitous Glock handgun, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 94. The Glock pistol has been an instrumental part of military and police arms since its unveiling in the 1980s, with Glock himself claiming to have sold over 10 million of the pistols worldwide.
Before embarking on the Glock project, Glock’s eponymous company mainly produced military knives and consumer goods, such as curtain rods. Glock assembled a team of firearms experts to innovate a new, cutting-edge firearm to respond to the needs of the Austrian military. The outcome of their labors was the Glock 17, a lightweight, semi-automatic weapon made primarily of plastic.
The Glock 17’s revolutionary design, with a frame made of high-strength, nylon-based polymer, beat out rival companies’ proposals to secure the Austrian military contract. The easily assembled weapon quickly became a global sensation, earning a devoted following among police and military personnel worldwide. It even found a place in popular culture, appearing in numerous films and rap songs by major artists such as Snoop Dogg and Wu-Tang Clan.
In 2003, the Glock proved its value once again when a team of U.S. soldiers discovered former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein hiding in a hole, armed with a Glock. They later presented the weapon to then-U.S. President George W. Bush as a symbol of their victory.
Despite its popularity, the Glock has faced criticism from gun control advocates who decry powerful guns that are easy to conceal and hold more ammunition. Glock himself shunned public debate and rarely granted interviews, leading to speculation and criticism of his role in popularizing the weapon.
In 2000, Glock refused to sign a voluntary gun control agreement with the United States, aligning himself with other weapon manufacturers in a rejection of the government’s initiatives. Glock survived an attempt on his life at the age of 70 when an investment broker hired a former wrestler to attack him with a rubber hammer, according to court records.