Chemists at war

The Great War took most Europeans by surprise, in more ways than one. When the crisis began, they believed diplomacy would prevent – or at least, contain – the conflict. As armies mobilised, all but a few pessimists predicted an early finish. And when the guns started firing nobody – including the generals – foresaw the colossal expansion of the chemical industry needed to supply them with ammunition. When peace returned, there was another surprise. The new chemical giants did not disappear. Instead, they diversified and began transforming the world.