

Fritz Haber: The Man Who Invented Chemical Warfare
Aug 29, 2019
Oz Woloshyn and Karah Preiss, co-hosts of the Sleepwalkers Podcast, dive into the life of Fritz Haber, a scientist with a paradoxical legacy. They discuss his groundbreaking work in agriculture versus the dark invention of chemical warfare. The conversation touches on Haber's personal struggles, including the influence of nationalism and anti-Semitism on his identity. Also explored is the heavy ethical weight of innovation, highlighting how science can both nourish and destroy, making listeners ponder the responsibility that comes with great power.
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Fritz Haber's Early Life
- Fritz Haber was born in Breslau, Prussia, to a moderately wealthy Jewish family.
- His mother, Paula, died three weeks after giving birth to Fritz, as she was also his father's cousin.
Fritz Haber's Upbringing
- Siegfried, Fritz's father, was devastated by his wife's death and became an absent father.
- Fritz was raised by his extended family, particularly his aunts.
Fritz Haber's Interests
- Fritz had varied interests, including theater, philosophy, and literature, and attended a private school.
- He enjoyed Breslau's beer halls and taverns, even as a preteen, and developed a talent for rhyming verse.