Karl Bosch, a German chemist, engineer, and industry leader, developed a commercial process for converting gaseous hydrogen and nitrogen into ammonia, an important component in the production of fertilizers and explosives. In addition, methods that he helped develop to synthesize gasoline, methanol, and hydrogen had a profound influence on the chemical industry. In 1931, Bosch and Friedrich Bergius shared the Nobel Prize in chemistry for their pioneering work in chemical high-pressure methods .

Bosch was born in Cologne, Germany, on August 27, 1874, the eldest child of Karl and Paula Bosch. The elder Bosch sold gas and plumbing supplies and prospered as a businessman and entrepreneur. Young Bosch, who showed an interest in and talent for science and technology, was prompted by his father to study metallurgy. In 1894, Bosch enrolled at the Technical University in Charlottenburg, Germany. He studied metallurgy and mechanical engineering, and acquired practical machine-shop experience. But he was disappointed...