The Man Who Tried To Make It Rain In Midland, Texas

Midland, Texas -- Living in the Permian Basin, we all fully understand that the weather can not only be unpredictable, but also unforgiving.  There are times when there is so much rain that the streets are flooded, while at other times, when it is so dry, we practically beg the rain gods for a rainy day.

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The Rain Experiment Designed To Trigger Rain

In 1891, Midland was experiencing a significant drought, much like other areas of the country.  By that time, the notion of manmade weather modification had already been long conceptualized, however, no one had successfully performed the act.  A Washington, D.C. patent attorney named Robert St. George Dyrenforth had devised a plan for the world's first successful weather modification.  His target area?  You guessed it, Midland, Texas!

Logistics Of The Experiment

The concept was rather simple: disrupt the atmosphere, thus encouraging the clouds to begin raining.  While Mr. Dyrenforth's heart was in the right place, his execution of the experiment drew much scorn and criticism, especially by the media, who later mocked not only Mr. Dyrenforth but the notion of altering the weather overall.

On a cloudless day, Mr. Dyrenforth fired numerous mortars, cannons, and shells into the sky.  He also used balloons to set off explosives, but nothing worked.  The experiment failed and did not generate clouds, let alone participation.

Weather Modification Today

This may be a tad tricky.  Some say that some governments of the world can fully alter the weather to their liking.  Even gauge weather-related war tactics if they so choose.  However, no country in the world has yet admitted that its military has the full capability to alter the weather.  The closest the general public can come to seeing that the technology is in place to alter the weather is called cloud seeding.

With cloud seeding technology, weather can technically be altered to a fault, however, there are factors in the process.  Regardless, the successes of modern technology and any type of weather modification should acknowledge the innovation and courage of Mr. Deyrenforth, a man who tried to make it rain in Midland, Texas.