The onset of the technical high pressure chemistry can be traced back to the beginning of the 20th century. After resolving many technically completely new problems in an incredible short time, including the development of a suited catalyst, the first large scale plant to synthesize ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen went on stream 100 years ago in Ludwigshafen (BASF). Since 1916 the BASF subsidiary in Leuna, the Ammoniakwerk Merseburg, was part of these successful developments. Within a short time further high pressure syntheses emerged - the synthesis of methanol and higher alcohols as well as the hydrogenation of coals into liquid hydrocarbons. This contribution acknowledges these very important developments that have revolutionized the area of technical chemistry.