Who invented dynamite?

Alfred Nobel’s name is known for a few reasons. Firstly, the Swedish chemist and engineer invented dynamite, albeit by accident, in 1867 in Germany.

This might surprise you: Dynamite was a convenient way to transport nitroglycerine without it randomly exploding upon the slightest shake. Nobel, however was a pacifist.

Note from history: The chemist is also known for establishing the Nobel Prize in 1895 to award individuals who were positively impacting mankind in a number of categories.

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52 Comments

Eddie Correia

The expression is "by" accident, not "on" accident.

Bill Coe

Because Nobel was a pacifist and he saw his invention being used for the wrong reasons, it is my understanding that he started the Nobel prize to assuage his guilt.

George Oliver Prince

When used correctly, dynamite is a boon, clearing fields, blowing out tree stumps

Pamela Footman

In 1888 Alfred's brother Ludvig died while visiting Cannes and a French newspaper erroneously published Alfred's obituary. It condemned him for his invention of dynamite and is said to have brought about his decision to leave a better legacy after his death.The obituary stated, Le marchand de la mort est mort ("The merchant of death is dead") and went on to say, "Dr. Alfred Nobel, who became rich by finding ways to kill more people faster than ever before, died yesterday." Alfred (who never had a wife or children) was disappointed with what he read and concerned with how he would be remembered. On 27 November 1895, at the Swedish-Norwegian Club in Paris, Nobel signed his last will and testament and set aside the bulk of his estate to establish the Nobel Prizes, to be awarded annually without distinction of nationality. After taxes and bequests to individuals, Nobel's will allocated 94% of his total assets, 31,225,000 Swedish kronor, to establish the five Nobel Prizes. This converted to £1,687,837 (GBP) at the time. In 2012, the capital was worth around SEK 3.1 billion (USD 472 million, EUR 337 million), which is almost twice the amount of the initial capital, taking inflation into account The first three of these prizes are awarded for eminence in physical science, in chemistry and in medical science or physiology; the fourth is for literary work "in an ideal direction" and the fifth prize is to be given to the person or society that renders the greatest service to the cause of international fraternity, in the suppression or reduction of standing armies, or in the establishment or furtherance of peace congresses. ijs.

Brenda Perry

James Vetzel The GOP is doing a better job in cutting services for our Vets and blaming Obama.

tdelisi

James Vetzel - another biased and poorly informed political antagonist. Spread your beliefs about politics elsewhere. This is a quiz forum, keep your comments relevant and don't expose your ignorance by thinking you are politically amusing.

Chrissie

pankaik, fireworks yes, but they use gunpowder or something fairly similar. Dynamite is a different kettle of fish.

pankaik

I am sure dynamite/fireworks was a Chinese invention???!!!!

Carroll Price

Irresponsible use of alcohol, tobacco, automobiles, and any number of other things have killed far more people than dynamite ever will.

Bruce Cooper

Chinese had gunpowder well before but not dynamite

Peter Robertson

And there have been some strange awards,especially in the Peace Prizes. Often given to people who caused the problem in the first place,to say nothing of the awards given to people who just got elected?