DDT (Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane) is a synthetic pesticide that was first developed in 1939. It was initially used to control malaria, typhus, and other insect-borne diseases during World War II. After the war, DDT became a popular insecticide for use in agriculture, as well as for pest control in households and gardens.

However, concerns began to emerge about the impact of DDT on the environment and human health. It was discovered that DDT and its breakdown products could persist in the environment for many years, and could accumulate in the tissues of animals and humans.

Rachel Carson's 1962 book "Silent Spring" brought public attention to the dangers of DDT and other pesticides. Her work highlighted the negative effects of DDT on birds, including thinning of eggshells, which made them more prone to breaking, and therefore reduced the population of birds such as eagles, ospreys and pelicans.

In 1972, the United States banned the use of DDT for agricultural purposes, and it was subsequently banned in many other countries. The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, adopted in 2001, further restricted the production and use of DDT, with exemptions for its use in certain circumstances for malaria control.

Overall, the use of DDT had a significant negative impact on the environment, including the loss of biodiversity and the contamination of soil and water. The experience with DDT and other pesticides led to increased awareness of the need for more sustainable and environmentally friendly approaches to pest control, including the development of integrated pest management and the use of biological control methods.