Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, commonly known as DDT, is a synthetic pesticide that was widely used in agriculture and for controlling disease-carrying insects, particularly mosquitoes. It was first developed in the 1940s and became popular due to its effectiveness in increasing crop yields and reducing the spread of diseases like malaria and typhus. However, concerns about its environmental impact and potential health risks led to its ban in many countries by the 1970s. DDT is known to persist in the environment, accumulate in the food chain, and cause harm to wildlife, particularly birds, leading to reproductive issues and population declines.