It is fairly well established, however, that in Bacon's time gunpowder was known to the Arabs, so that it should not be surprising to find references made to it in Bacon's work, since there is reason to believe that he constantly consulted Arabian writings.
The great merit of Bacon's work, however, depends on the principles taught as regards experiment and the observation of nature, rather than on any single invention.

He had the all-important idea of breaking with tradition.

He championed unfettered inquiry in every field of thought.
He had the instinct of a scientific worker--a rare instinct indeed in that age.

Nor need we doubt that to the best of his opportunities he was himself an original investigator.
LEONARDO DA VINCI The relative infertility of Bacon's thought is shown by the fact that he founded no school and left no trace of discipleship.

The entire century after his death shows no single European name that need claim the attention of the historian of science.