Ammonia: Developments and Successes for America at War

Abstract

Beyond personal curiosity, science is driven by the needs and wants of a country and its people. The rapid technological and scientific progress driven by the rapid change in global diplomacy and logistics requires a pragmatic use of resources. Often, this leads to the prioritization of scientific endeavors which have direct, tangible outcomes. With the dependence on Chilean nitrates for both fertilizer and munitions during World War I, the United States was at risk directly from U-Boats and from global demand impacting fertilizer prices. Here we discuss how both the American Federal Government and American scientists restructured to combat this demand and provide examples of how their classified discoveries were used.