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History

    There was a British chemist in the 1800's who developed the process of manufacturing potassium cyanide by passing ammonia over a mixture of charcoal and potassium carbonate.  Potassium cyanide can still be obtained in the same way, although more precise methods are used in present day.  The potassium cyanide was used for extracting gold from low-grade ores.  The idea of using KCN for gas chamber executions first developed by the use of poisonous gas during World War 1.   Nevada was the first state to perform a gas chamber execution, which occurred in February of 1924.  Since 1976, 11 people have been killed by gas chamber execution ("Methods of Executions").  

Events Involving Cyanide

    In the catastrophe at Jonestown, Potassium Cyanide along with tranquillizers was placed in cool aid, causing 900 people to die.

   February 13, 2000 there was a cyanide spill into the  Tisa river which killed all the life in the river.  When the cyanide mixed with the water hydrogen cyanide was produced as well (CNN.com). 

   Gas chamber executions involving potassium cyanide is the third most used form of execution in the nation.  The most used form of execution is lethal injection and the second is electrocution.  Only 5 states presently perform gas chamber executions. 

    There have been numerous terrorist type groups that have stolen large amounts of KCN in the attempt to do some sort of harm towards other human beings.  One such event occurred in the 1980's when a group called Covenant, the Sword and the Arms of the Lord stole 30 gallons of KCN and believed that they could overthrow the government by dumping the KCN into urban waters, which would kill all non-believers ("Combating Terrorism").