From P.G. Sussman
Ian Stewart recommends a chemistry book on chemical matters as suitable reading after Christmas dinner, accompanied by an Erlenmeyer flask containing mulled wine (Review, 18 November).
He mentions the book’s praise of Fritz Haber, “who perfected the art of synthesising ammonia”, this being the first essential step to the manufacture of synthetic fertiliser.
That is not the only use and purpose of ammonia. Explosives also require ammonia, and without the timely invention of the Haber-Bosch process the German grenade industry may well have ground to a halt during the First World War.
Haber received the Nobel prize for Chemistry and came to Britain after 1918. However, when E. (later Lord) Rutherford met him, he refused to shake hands with him, holding him responsible for prolonging the slaughter.
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This was told to me and my fellow students by Professor L. S. Palmer at Hull University College shortly after the Second World War.
