jean-baptiste vaquette de gribeauval was a french artillery officer and engineer who revolutionised the french cannon, creating a new production system that allowed for lighter, more uniform guns without sacrificing range. his gribeauval system superseded the de vallière system. these guns proved essential to french military victories during the napoleonic wars. gribeauval is credited as the earliest known advocate for the interchangeability of gun parts. he is thus one of the principal influences on the later development (over many decades by many people) of interchangeable manufacture.