Picric acid converted it to acetylsalicylic acid, i.e., aspirin, to keep it from the Allies. See Great Phenol Plot. At the time, phenol was obtained from coal as a co-product of coke ovens and the manufacture of gas for gas lighting. Laclede Gas reports being asked to expand production of phenol (and toluene) to support the war effort. Both Monsanto and Dow Chemical undertook manufacture of synthetic phenol in 1915. Dow was the leading producer. Dow describes picric acid as “the main battlefield explosive used by the French. Large amounts [of phenol] also went to Japan, where it was made into picric
The Cupboard Under the Stairs The Cupboard Under the Stairs The Cupboard Under the Stairs is a Miles Franklin Award-winning novel by Australian author George Turner. This novel shared the award with "The Well Dressed Explorer" by Thea Astley. The novel tells the story of Harry White, who attempts to rebuild his life after spending six years in a mental institution. The novel carries the following dedication: "To Betty and Lindsay Bloomfield for one reason and another". The author added the following note: "Kilkalla is not modelled on any existing branch of the Department of Mental Hygiene. To eliminate such confusion I have employed only