In 1891, Carl Häussermann discovered the explosive properties of TNT, identifying its potential as a stable high explosive for military applications. This discovery marked a significant advancement in explosives technology, leading to its widespread use in warfare and construction. The development of TNT had profound implications for military strategy and engineering practices in the 20th century.

The discovery of TNT's explosive properties in 1891 had a profound impact on modernist poetry, reflecting the harsh realities of industrialized warfare. Poets like Wilfred Owen and T.S. Eliot utilized vivid imagery to convey the detachment and destruction of war, shaping a new narrative around violence and its psychological toll.