A Walk in the Clouds: Cautionary Tales from a Century of Chemical Agent Work

Abstract

There are few locations in the world more steeped in the history and culture of the manufacture and study of chemical warfare agents than Aberdeen Proving Ground (formerly Edgewood Arsenal). While serving as a chemical warfare agent production and filling facility during World War 1, Edgewood Arsenal became a melting pot of scientists, engineers, and soldiers that helped turn the tide of war in Europe. From these humble beginnings, Aberdeen has grown to become a world leader in research and training for a host of chemical warfare agent-related disciplines. What follows here is a brief overview of some of the more important (but lesser known) episodes in chemical warfare agent history that have occurred during our century-long tenure and how a younger generation can continue to learn from these lessons today.