American Genius

Colt vs. Wesson (1x6)

Air date: Jun 15, 2015

Go inside the first true “arms race” as the invention of the perfect revolver pits Samuel Colt and Daniel Wesson in a race for patents that will forever revolutionize the firearm industry. In 1836, Samuel Colt changes the way wars are fought with his patent for the revolver, and profits enormously. But when Colt fires his assistant Rollin White for suggesting an improvement on his design, White takes his innovative idea to Smith & Wesson. As the Civil War breaks out, the need for firearms explodes, and only one supplier will come out unscathed. Politician and businessman Mitt Romney and Twitter co-founder Biz Stone join historians and other experts as American Genius delves into the dramatic story behind the weapon that transformed America and forever changed how wars are fought.