Historical Events tagged with "gas"

Turns out history loves a label—battles, breakthroughs, and the occasional disaster, all neatly tagged for your browsing pleasure. Because sometimes you just need every weird invention in one place.

Accidents & Tragedies

Deadly Explosions in Petlawad, Madhya Pradesh

September 12th, 2015 9 years ago

A series of explosions occurred in Petlawad, Madhya Pradesh, when propane erupted and ignited illegally stored mining detonators. The incident resulted in at least 105 fatalities and more than 150 injuries. This catastrophe raised alarms about unsafe storage practices and the lack of regulation in the area, particularly regarding explosives and flammable materials.

Continue Reading
Accidents & Tragedies

Deadly Gas Explosions Rock Kaohsiung City

July 31st, 2014 10 years ago

A series of gas explosions in Kaohsiung City led to the deaths of at least 20 people and injured over 270 others. The explosions occurred in the late hours, devastating several blocks and causing significant damage to infrastructure. Emergency services responded quickly, treating the injured and searching for survivors in the debris. The blasts were attributed to a suspected gas leak, and residents described hearing loud booms followed by fire and chaos in the streets.

Continue Reading
Transportation & Infrastructure

Sewer explosions devastate Louisville streets

February 13th, 1981 44 years ago

More than two miles of streets in Louisville were destroyed due to a series of sewer explosions that occurred on February 13, 1981. The explosions were caused by a combination of gas buildup in the sewer system, which ignited when exposed to an open flame, leading to a dramatic and destructive outcome. No fatalities were reported, but the infrastructure damage forced local authorities to undertake extensive repairs to the urban landscape.

Continue Reading
Science & Technology

Joseph Priestley Identifies Oxygen Gas

August 1st, 1774 250 years ago

British scientist Joseph Priestley identified oxygen gas while experimenting with a burning candle in a closed container. His experiments took place in Birmingham, England, where he cooled the gas produced and noted its unique properties. Priestley's work corroborated earlier findings by German-Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele, who had isolated oxygen gas several years prior, though his discoveries were not widely recognized at the time. Priestley’s experiments contributed to a foundational understanding of gases and combustion, greatly influencing future scientific research.

Continue Reading