On Wednesday, Gaston Glock, the creator of the handgun that shares his name, passed away at the age of 94.

According to the Austria Press Agency, the death of the Glock company’s founder was announced.

Glock, an introverted engineer, established the corporation in 1963 in Deutsch-Wagram, located near Vienna. It has since grown globally, with a U.S. branch established in 1985.

Glock pistols are utilized by law enforcement and certain national armed forces, as well as individuals. The firearm was notably lighter, more cost-effective, and more dependable compared to the existing models at the time of its inception.

According to Glock’s website, the company’s founder not only transformed the small arms industry in the 1980s, but also achieved worldwide recognition for the Glock brand as the top player in the handgun market.

Glock’s company developed its first military products, including field knives, in the 1970s.

According to the company, Glock saw a valuable chance to create a groundbreaking firearm when the Austrian Defense Ministry requested proposals for a lighter, user-friendly self-defense pistol in the early 1980s.

The outcome was the Glock pistol, a semi-automatic firearm with a polymer frame. The company reported that over 25,000 were supplied to the Austrian military from 1982 to 1984.

Source: wral.com