Gaston Glock (German: [ˈɡastɔn ˈɡlɔk]; 19 July 1929 – 27 December 2023) was an Austrian engineer and businessman.

It became one of the most influential and popular handguns of the 20th century, leading to a succession of other models in a variety of sizes and chamberings as well as an industry-wide trend toward polymer-frame, striker-fired pistols.

[2] He was conscripted into the Wehrmacht as a teenager near the end of World War II, after which he graduated from school as an engineer and joined a hand drill company.

In 1980, he bought an injection-moulding machine to manufacture handles and sheaths for the field knives he was making for the Austrian army in his garage workshop.

[4] Robert McFadden of The New York Times wrote that Glock's pistol: [...] became a phenomenal seller, especially in the United States.

Two-thirds of America's police forces, including New York City's, adopted the Glock, as did many federal, state and county agencies ...