 On March 1, 1924, Ammonite, which was involved in extracting ammonium nitrate from shells from the Raritan Arsenal, triggered a massive explosion and resulting fire (known as the 1924 Nixon Nitration Works disaster) that destroyed the Nitration Works.This led to the dissolution of Ammonite in 1926.Shreve joined the Purdue University College of Engineering faculty in 1930, becoming a full professor the next year.