"This great nitrogen barrier to higher crop yields was nudged only during the 19th century with the mining and export of [[Chilean]] nitrates, **the first inorganic nitrogenous fertilizer**. "**The barrier was then broken decisively with the invention of ammonia synthesis by [[Fritz Haber]] in 1909** and with its rapid commercialization (ammonia was first shipped in 1913), but subsequent production grew slowly and the widespread application of nitrogenous fertilizers had to wait until after the Second World War." ([Location 1156](https://readwise.io/to_kindle?action=open&asin=B08SGC3TD3&location=1156)) --- **Tags** -- [[quotes]], [[ammonia]], [[haber-bosch]], [[fertilisers]], [[nitrogen]], [[innovation]] **Source** -- [[202412030828 - B - How the World Really Works]]