Hello everyone!
I have a question I’d like to ask, I’ve been trying to dig up the history behind this to no avail so far and I’ve really wanted to know for quite some time: why do bombs in cartoons like Looney Tunes often look like black spheres with the fuse coming out of a nubbed portion on top (or bottom, if you roll it, whatever.)?
I’ve never seen a real bomb look like this, and to be frankly honest, I’m just curious! It really got me thinking.
Thanks a lot!
Bingowah
Very early bombs really were cast-iron spheres with fuses sticking out. The earliest mortar shells were of this design.
(Mortar shells remained spherical for some time; the “Bombs Bursting in Air” in the U.S. National Anthem would have been spherical; they were launched from “Bomb Ketches,” ships that had a large mortar midships, with masts and rigging slightly altered from the standard to accomodate the trajectory.)
Trinopus
It’s a symbol -
If you haven’t already check out Scott McCloud’s “Understanding Comics.”
Here is his website
Russian nihilists and anarchists of the 19th century developed a reputation for using spherical bombs:
A history of the red terror and the social revolution in America and Europe.
The round bomb’s persistence in cartoons probably arises from their being easy to draw, and easy to recognize; almost an ICON if you will.
Why thank you so much everyone for the info! I’ve been enlightened with this spherical bomb info and learned something new! Much appreciation 
Yes, early bombs were spherical. For an example, check out Master and Commander and, if you can stay awake, you’ll see them use bombs like this.
