The Explosive Ace

We all know that feeling when an Ace slams onto the table. It detonates like a hand grenade, scattering cards like shrapnel to make or break hands. We know the Ace isn't just a card - it's a declaration of war. For this reason, I chose to make the Ace of Hearts and Ace of Spades early grenades. They can either destroy you or save your life.

Kevin Bockius

9/21/20251 min read

What you probably did not realize is that this specific engineering drawing is not a frag grenade designed to kill - it is actually an illumination grenade used to emit bright lighjt. The patent US2960934 describes the device as a "pyrotechnic device which has for its principal function to illuminate at night a limited area of terrain, usually an area dominated by enemy re. Obviously, however, such a device could be used as a signaling means, particularly for distress signals"

During the time of this patents filing in 1944, night-vision technology was large, bulky, and impractical. Illumination grenades saw widespread use in WW2 to illuminate illuminate bunkers, enemy positions, or open terrain for soldiers to see. Before the adoption of night vision, these grenades were a standard tool in many military kits.

The duality of a grenade that causes terror vs a grenade that illuminates the night greatly capture the duality of an Ace. It can be the difference between winning and losing. An Ace on the table will always make or break somebody.

The Hand Illuminating Grenade was patented by Leonard D Jackson and Hilten E Jones on December 29th, 1944.

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