Napalm
- Date
- 1942 · confidence high
- Place
- Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States
- Credited to
- Louis Fieser and his team (Harvard University)
- Field
- Conflict
What it is
A team of Harvard chemists led by Fieser developed a naphthenic-and-palmitic-acid thickening gel to make incendiary fuels viscous and adherent, prompted by the wartime shortage of natural rubber.
Its later military use sparked intense ethical and legal controversy, unrelated to its creators' original intent.
What it led to
- Mass use in World War II and Vietnam War firebombing campaigns
- International debate leading to restrictions on its use against civilians