Epoxyethane or as it's known by its chemical name, Ethylene Oxide was first synthesised by French Chemist Charles Wurtz in 1859. He treated 2-chloroethanol with a base however in more recent times it is produced industrially by reacting ethane and oxygen.

It's first main industrial use came in World War I, when it was used as a precursor to the coolant ethylene glycol and, more importantly for the time period, to the Chemical weapon "Mustard Gas"

The modern day uses for epoxythane include a bacteria killing gas and also in the production of anti-freeze. For more information on the uses of epoxyethane click here