Rivals in Arms: M16 and AK-47

Описание: Inside the Moment — Historical Special Report
Date: May 16, 1990
Location: Washington, D.C.

"Rivals in Arms: M16 and AK-47 Inventors Eugene Stoner and Mikhail Kalashnikov Meet Face-to-Face"

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a symbolic and historic encounter bridging Cold War rivalries, Eugene Stoner, the American inventor of the M16 rifle, and Mikhail Kalashnikov, the Soviet designer of the iconic AK-47, met today in Washington, D.C. for the first time. The meeting brought together two of the most influential figures in modern military history—creators of weapons that have defined global warfare for over half a century.

The meeting took place during a firearms symposium focused on military technology and arms history, offering the rare opportunity for the two men—once on opposite sides of geopolitical and ideological lines—to speak face to face. Despite the bloodshed and controversy tied to their creations, both men approached the moment with mutual respect and shared experiences.

Kalashnikov, the former Red Army tank commander, and Stoner, a World War II veteran turned aerospace engineer, discussed their designs, philosophies, and the unintended legacy of their rifles. Together, the AK-47 and M16 have been produced by the tens of millions and used in virtually every major conflict since the 1950s—by armies, rebels, and governments alike.

“I created it to defend my country,” Kalashnikov remarked of the AK. Stoner, more reserved, noted that the M16 was built for precision and efficiency but never imagined it would become a symbol of so many wars.

Their meeting was a rare moment of reflection on the shared burden of invention—two men who shaped the battlefield, now shaking hands in peace.

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