Haber, Fritz

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German chemist whose conversion of atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia opened the way for the synthetic fertilizer industry. His study of the combustion of hydrocarbons led to the commercial ‘cracking’ or fractional distillation of natural oil (petroleum) into its components (for example, diesel fuel, petrol, and paraffin). In electrochemistry, he was the first to demonstrate that oxidation and reduction take place at the electrodes; from this he developed a general electrochemical theory. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1918 for his work on the synthesis of ammonia from its elements.

At the outbreak of World War I in 1914, Haber was asked to devise a method of producing nitric acid for making high explosives. Later he became one of the principals in the German chemical warfare effort, devising weapons and gas masks, which led to protests against his Nobel Prize in 1918.

The red disc, set towards the hoist, recalls the fight for independence. Green represents Islam, fertility, and the country's youth. Effective date: 25 January 1972. >>