Molasses
Molasses, a sticky sugar byproduct, refines into industrial alcohol and even explosives feedstock. World War I demand piled it into downtown Boston tanks. The day right after the 1919 flood, Prohibition was ratified — some say the distillery rushed to draw off rum alcohol first.
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On Jan 15, 1919, a steel tank burst in downtown Boston, spilling ~8.7 million liters (12,000 tons) of molasses. A sticky brown wave 8m high at over 50 km/h killed 21 people, injured ~150, and flattened buildings: the Great Boston Molasses Flood, a bizarre disaster.
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In the 18th century, American businessman Timothy Dexter was tricked into shipping warming pans—used to heat beds—to the year-round tropical West Indies. But local molasses producers bought them all at a 79% markup, finding them perfect as large ladles.
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