Chemical Weapons

Geoff Hanson
Chemical Warfare
Chemical warfare is an extremely dangerous form of warfare. An inquisitive scientist accidentally stumbled upon the engineering of nerve gas agents in the ‘30’s by the name of Gerhard Schrader. He was working on a solution to be rid of Germany’s troublesome insect problem when he stumbled onto a solution for a larger problem in his eyes… humans. Two years later, he discovered an even more potent gas known as Sarin.
Although instances of what might be styled as chemical weapons date to ancient times, much of the known chemical weapons of today originated during World War I. During that conflict “gas” was used effectively on numerous occasions by both sides to alter the outcome of battles. The Geneva Protocol, prohibiting use of chemical weapons in warfare, was signed in 1925. Several nations, the United States included, signed with a reservation forswearing only the first use of the weapons and reserved the right to retaliate in liki...