The mania for speculation broke loose. … There was no limit to the credulity of the public. One promoter floated a company to manufacture an invention known as Puckle’s Machine Gun, “which was to discharge round and square cannon-balls and bullets and make a total revolution in the art of war”, the round missiles being intended for use against Christians and the square against the Turk. … This amiable swindler set up a shop in Cornhill to receive subscriptions. His office was besieged by eager investors, and after collecting £2,000 in cash he prudently absconded.

Winston Churchill, A History of the English-Sp…, loc. 1403