(666b) History of Energetic Materials

In honor of AIChE's 100th Anniversary, this presentation discusses the history and contribution of Energetic Materials and discusses major accidents with Energetic Materials. The history and contribution begins with the pre-energetic material Greek fire in 424 BC to the first energetic material black power in 850 AD to the rocket motor propellants of today. Story of Energetic Materials in the United States will be told through the heritage of ATK which includes 1802 DuPont founding, 1912 DuPont anti-trust founding of Hercules Powder, 1929 founding of Thiokol and 2001 ATK purchase of Thiokol. A few major historical energetic material accidents will also be discussed.