4.000 HISTORY.
The history of the use of hydrogen cyanide gas for execution purposes
and the development of the gas chamber is strictly a United States phenomenon.
Prior to 1890, hanging was the legally utilized procedure for execution
in the United States. In an attempt to find a more humane procedure, the
New York State Assembly adopted electrocution. Many other states followed
by accepting electrocution. Others were not satisfied, for one reason or
another, and sought a more humane procedure. Because hydrogen cyanide gas
was being utilized for fumigation purposes, some states began to look at
the possibility of gassing.
4.001 In the early 1920s. Arizona passed enabling legislation and contracted
with Eaton Metal Products of Denver, Colorado; Casper, Wyoming; and Salt
Lake City, Utah to construct their new execution system utilizing hydrogen
cyanide gas. Eaton developed a gas chamber to contain the gas, a generator
to manufacture the gas and a protocol to safely utilize the new equipment.
Eaton subsequently installed chambers in Arizona, California, Colorado,
Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, North Carolina, Rhode Island and Wyoming.
Missouri also utilized gas after the 1930s but their gas chamber, although
as complex as the others, was constructed by a different company. Records
at Missouri do not indicate who the builder was. The only major difference
in all these chambers was whether they were for one or two executees.
4.002 In the years that have passed, most states have changed from
gas to safer procedures. The only remaining states still utilizing gas
are Arizona, California, Maryland, and Mississippi and some of these states
are considering changing to the safer procedure of lethal injection.
4.003 It is extremely fortunate that although gas handling accidents
have occurred, none has resulted in injury or death to gas chamber personnel
as have accidents involving the use of hydrogen cyanide gas in other industries.