Napalm

Napalm is a flammable substance used in warfare. It is based on gasoline, but as gasoline burns itself too quickly to be useful as a weapon in bombs and flamethrowers, the chemical reaction is moderated by a powder of naphthene and palmitate (thus napalm), forming a soap-like substance. The relative amount of powder changes the burning properties, and is varied for flamethrowers and bombs. Napalm-B is an improved variant of napalm, made from benzene and polystyrene.

The mixture was invented at Harvard University in 1942. It was used during World War II by the Allied Forces against cities in Japan, and later by the United States during the Vietnam War. Napalm was banned by an United Nations convention in 1980.

See also : Napalm Death rock band -- Agent Orange