Mikhail Kalashnikov's death at the age of 94 represents the end of a life that was more influential on the world than that of many national leaders. In many respects the second half of the 20th century was defined by his namesake weapon, the AK-47, and its kin.

Kalashnikov's invention helped end a colonial era that had in large part been forged by the early machine gun. The Maxim gun allowed small numbers of British troops to defeat large groups of native soldiers, helping bring about the subjugation of Africa in the late 19th century. The Maxim proved so important that British poet Hilaire Belloc wryly noted, in the context of the quashing of a "native" mutiny:

"Whatever happens, we have got: The Maxim gun, and they have not."

However, the development of the AK-47 and its subsequent widespread popularity helped change that state of affairs. Inexpensive, tremendously durable and easy to use, the AK-47 has been a central feature of nearly every military conflict since its initial adoption by the Soviet military in 1949.

Kalashnikov's rifle had granted revolutionary movements the world over the ability to match the firepower of far more expensively equipped soldiers.

Today, the AK-47 and its derivatives are the most common type of assault rifle in the world. It is no coincidence that the AK-47's introduction coincided with the success of a variety of revolutionary and anti-colonial movements.

From Mozambique to Vietnam, the AK-47 became a valued part of irregular and regular forces alike. In Vietnam, many American soldiers preferred to use the durable AK-47 in preference to the temperamental and expensive M-16. The cultural importance of this rifle in the developing world can be seen in the fact that the flag of Mozambique incorporates the AK-47, making it the only assault rifle in the world to have received that honor.

Nevertheless, Kalashnikov's rifle has not, to put it mildly, been an unmixed blessing. The durability and inexpensive nature of the rifle have made it popular among bandits and drug cartels, and the tremendous firepower it provides has made the massacre of civilians far easier than it was in the past.

Perhaps most damaging to Kalashnikov's legacy is the rise of the use of child soldiers, due to their ability to effectively use the light and simple AK-47.

In all too many cases, the very AK-47s that helped secure a nation's independence from its colonial overlords were soon turned on the civilian population, creating a cycle of civil and ethnic violence that continues to plague the developing world today. In fact, the AK-47 currently accounts for about 250,000 deaths every year, making it the single most deadly weapon system on the planet.

Sadly, many of those deaths came from civilian populations, and attempts to curb the use of the AK-47 and related weapons are unlikely to be successful. 

However, Kalashnikov's creation has not just made an impact on the world's battlefields, but has also become a worldwide cultural icon.

The AK-47 is likely the single most recognizable rifle on the world and has come to symbolize the modern revolutionary and terrorist alike. Children in the US wear T-shirts and jackets emblazoned with the rifle's image, and it is a common staple of most online combat games.

In Hollywood, the AK-47 is now the shorthand way to define both the action hero and the terrorist. In the news, images of the AK-47 have become central to the US debate over gun violence. The AK-47's unique appearance has heavily influenced the debate surrounding a number of anti-assault rifle laws and campaigns. 

Kalashnikov never expressed any sorrow for the consequences of his invention, pointing out that he designed it to defend his nation.

Its subsequent popularity and use, while stemming from the superior design he produced, cannot be placed at Kalashnikov's feet. But this simple engineer had a tremendous impact on the political and cultural evolution of the 20th century.

From the jungles of Vietnam to the high mountains of Afghanistan, the AK-47 that Kalashnikov designed so many years ago continues to confound the most powerful military forces in the world.

Kalashnikov's legacy will continue to mold the future, just as it helped transform the politics and culture of the 20th century.

The author is a political writer based in Southern California. jgray22a@gmail.com