2000/08/01 by Jaime Wisniak · 1 citation
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · #Botanical Research and Applications
paper · doi:10.1007/s008970000401a
openalex publication_date 2000/08/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
The early development of saltpeter (potassium nitrate) production is intimately related to the invention of pyrotechnics and gunpowder. The evolution of the industry in France was closely tied to the political events that took place during the period before and after the French Revolution. Lavoisier transformed it from a losing operation to a successful enterprise and in so doing set the beginning of industrial chemistry as we know it today. The DuPont Company was founded as a result of these activities.