Gaston Glock, the Austrian-born firearms inventor who created the Glock series of handguns, died on Wednesday at the age of 94. His death was confirmed by his lawyer, Wolfgang Rzesnik, according to Austrian news sources. Glock was born in Zell am See, Austria, in 1929. He had no background in the firearms industry, but was well-versed in technology and mechanics, having worked in that field since his teenage years. In the early 1980s, he was approached to create a handgun for the Austrian military. This meeting eventually resulted in the design of the Glock 17, a 9mm pistol with improved functionality and ergonomics. The Glock 17 was an immediate success and was adopted by several law enforcement and military organizations throughout the world. It earned its place in history as one of the world’s most popular handguns and became a favorite of law enforcement, security services, and private gun owners alike. Glock’s success was so profound that it was awarded a special honor in 2017 from the Austrian government: the Great Golden Decoration of Honor in Silver. This award was one of the country’s highest honors and registered Glock as a major contributor to the nation’s defense. The Glock’s instant popularity also spawned a wide range of firearms from lower-caliber handguns, to shotguns and rifles in different calibers, styles, and colors. This allowed Glock to spread its influence and presence worldwide, becoming one of the world’s most recognizable firearm brands. Gaston Glock’s contributions to the world of firearms will undoubtedly stand the test of time. He left a legacy of weapons that are trusted and internationally respected, and even his name—Glock—will remain synonymous with quality and reliability.