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The AR-15's Impact on Popular CultureThe AR-15's Impact on Popular CultureMain milestonesMain milestonesPost-ArmaLite Career and Design WorkPost-ArmaLite Career and Design WorkPersonal Life and RelationshipsPersonal Life and RelationshipsEarly Life and EducationEarly Life and EducationThe Stoner 63 Weapon SystemThe Stoner 63 Weapon SystemArmaLite and the AR-15 DevelopmentArmaLite and the AR-15 DevelopmentPatents and InnovationsPatents and InnovationsLegacy and ImpactLegacy and ImpactM16 Adoption and EvolutionM16 Adoption and Evolution
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Eugene Stoner - American firearms designer (1922–1997)

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03.04.25
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Overview

Eugene Morrison Stoner was an American firearms designer whose innovative designs revolutionized modern weaponry. His most notable contribution was the AR-15 rifle, which later evolved into the iconic M16, shaping military engagements for decades to come. This timeline charts Stoner's life and career, highlighting key milestones in his journey from a machinist to a celebrated and influential figure in firearms history.
Main Milestones
Birth in Gosport, Indiana
November 22, 1922
Eugene Morrison Stoner was born in Gosport, Indiana, to Lloyd and Billie Morrison Stoner. His early life was marked by an innate curiosity and aptitude for mechanical devices, traits that would later define his illustrious career in firearms design.
Marine Corps Aviation Ordnance
World War II Service (1940s)
During World War II, Stoner served in the U.S. Marine Corps as an aviation ordnance specialist. This experience provided him with practical knowledge of firearms and their mechanics, laying the groundwork for his future innovations. He gained invaluable hands-on experience with weapon systems, contributing to his understanding of their strengths and weaknesses.
Joins ArmaLite Division of Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation
1954
Stoner joined ArmaLite, a small division of the Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation. This marked a pivotal moment in his career, providing him with a platform to develop and refine his innovative firearm designs. At ArmaLite, Stoner became the chief design engineer and began his work on revolutionary rifle platforms.
Development of the AR-10 and AR-15
Late 1950s
At ArmaLite, Stoner spearheaded the design of the AR-10, a 7.62mm rifle intended as a replacement for the M14. He also conceived the AR-15, a smaller, lighter 5.56mm rifle. The AR-15, designed with lightweight materials like aluminum and plastics, quickly gained attention for its accuracy, manageability, and high rate of fire.
Sale of AR-15 Rights to Colt
1959
ArmaLite, facing financial difficulties, sold the rights to the AR-15 design to Colt's Patent Fire Arm Company. This was a crucial turning point, as Colt further developed and marketed the AR-15, ultimately leading to its adoption by the U.S. military.
The AR-15 Becomes the M16
Early 1960s
Colt's redesigned and modified the AR-15 for military use. The improved version was adopted by the United States military as the M16 rifle. The M16 quickly became the standard-issue rifle for the U.S. military during the Vietnam War, changing the landscape of modern warfare. Stoner's design was a key factor in the M16's success.
Departure from ArmaLite
1961
Stoner left ArmaLite in 1961. Despite the success of the AR-15/M16, he sought new challenges and opportunities to further his career in firearms development. His departure marked the end of an era for ArmaLite as well.
Consulting and Further Designs
Post-ArmaLite Career
Following his departure from ArmaLite, Stoner worked as a consultant for various firearms companies, including Cadillac Gage, where he developed the Stoner 63 modular weapon system. He continued to innovate, applying his expertise to design and improve a range of firearms.
Death in Potomac, Maryland
April 24, 1997
Eugene Morrison Stoner passed away on April 24, 1997, in Potomac, Maryland, at the age of 74. His legacy as a pioneering firearms designer endures through his innovative designs, which continue to influence modern weapon technology.

Other Themed Timelines

ArmaLite and the AR-15 DevelopmentArmaLite and the AR-15 DevelopmentEarly Life and EducationEarly Life and EducationLegacy and ImpactLegacy and ImpactM16 Adoption and EvolutionM16 Adoption and EvolutionPatents and InnovationsPatents and InnovationsPersonal Life and RelationshipsPersonal Life and RelationshipsPost-ArmaLite Career and Design WorkPost-ArmaLite Career and Design WorkThe AR-15's Impact on Popular CultureThe AR-15's Impact on Popular CultureThe Stoner 63 Weapon SystemThe Stoner 63 Weapon System