Very little is known about the history of the Tempest, although it was built by the DHARMA Initiative some time between the early 1970s and 1977. ("Namaste") As the station's only apparent purpose appeared to be the manufacture and study of deadly gasses, it may be that the station was constructed in response to the escalating tensions between DHARMA and the Hostiles. ("The Other Woman") Kate described the station to the other survivors as a "poison gas factory." ("Ji Yeon")