Rarely in science is a single name tied to a discovery, let alone an entire field of research. Yet Fritz Haber is widely touted as the father of chemical weapons, even though many others have conceived of and deployed these sorts of arms. Like a father, Haber shepherded the development of chlorine gas, phosgene gas and mustard gas for use as World War I weapons; he travelled to war torn areas to see his scientific progeny deployed; and he remained a loyal proponent of gas weaponry until his death, arguing that this form of armament was more humane than traditional bullets. Haber’s devotion to chemical weapons was so deep that he also participated in secret research after World War I, in contravention of the Treaty of Versailles.<br/><br/>His devotion to chemical weaponry can be hard for many to fathom given that Haber had also used his exceptional intelligence to develop a cheap and efficient way to make fertilizer, and in doing so helped feed humanity’s growing population. This presentation will follow the trajectory of Haber’s life, examining his science, his relationships with friends and family, and his tragic end as a displaced Jew in pre-World War II Europe. If time permits, the talk will also address other significant German contributions to the development of chemical weapons.

German chemists and chemical weapons: Fritz Haber and his legacy

249th National Meeting (2015)

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