Historical question about Cellulose Nitrate

[Gerald C Koch]

Guncotton flashes instantly, it does not explode if ignited in loose form in open air. Confined, even slightly, the burning rate turns to detonation. As the term indicates, it is nitrated cotton fiber and is easily made from any pure cotton.

The same can be said about gunpowder and TNT.In fact most explosives need a primer in order to set them off.