Charles Hatfield

Charles Hatfield was an American rainmaker active in the early 20th century, best known for his claim to have engineered artificial rainfall. In 1915, he supposedly induced heavy rain over San Diego through secret chemical methods, which helped fill the city’s reservoir but also caused devastating flooding and damage. Hatfield’s rainmaking prowess remains controversial, as scientific evidence for his methods is lacking. His story highlights early efforts to influence weather, reflecting both curiosity and the risks of attempting to control natural phenomena.