Reply #3: It is basically slow burning gasoline

[spindoctor]

To be exact, gas mixed with naphtalene and palmitic acid (na-palm).

It's a WWII invention that worked more effectively in flamethrowers than regular gasoline (which burns too fast). It was so effective that it was later used in bombs as well.

The biggest (only?) manufacturer of napalm is good old DOW.

In essence it is just shit that burns really, really hot for a really, really long time.