Anthony S. Travis Books

With wartime schooling in New Zealand, postwar schooling in Wales, and later University in England's smog-bound Manchester, Travis had already travelled 14,000 miles by his 14th birthday! From studying a new and experimental 5 year Hons. Degree course in Town & Country Planning, his career was to lead on to developing Planning for Tourism' as an even newer professional field. After a town planning career, climaxing in his first Planning Chair in Edinburgh, and then a later Urban Studies Research Chair in Birmingham, plus a Visiting Chair in Tourism in Glasgow, he made a worldwide contribution. From Consulting for the European Union, the UN World Tourism Organisation, and the Pacific Area Travel Association in places as varied as Poland, the Maldives, Michigan, and the Algerian Sahara, Travis has also lectured overseas regularly. In over 50 years of work, the stability has been given by his wife and family, aided by a global village of friends. A rich life that he can muse about in his 80's!

The monograph explores the evolution of the synthetic nitrogen industry as a precursor to the modern chemical industry across Europe, the United States, and Asia. It delves into the international developments post-World War I, highlighting new technologies that emerged alongside the Haber-Bosch process. The author emphasizes the strategic significance of fixed nitrogen for munitions and agricultural productivity, detailing its impact in Italy under Mussolini and in the Soviet Union under Stalin, as well as its early adoption in Japan and its role in colonial Korea's industrialization.

Heinrich Caro's innovative chemical processes revolutionized synthetic dyestuff production at BASF, making it a leader in the industry. His background as a calico printer and experience in Manchester equipped him with unique insights. This biography explores his contributions to industrial research laboratories, the synergy between academic and industrial chemistry, and advancements in patent law. Key topics include classical organic chemistry, collaboration with Adolf Baeyer, and the development of artificial dyes like alizarin and indigo, highlighting Caro's significant impact on modern chemistry.

This concise brief describes how the demands of World War I, often referred to as the Chemists' War, led to the rapid emergence of a new key industry based on fixation of atmospheric nitrogen.