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The History of Dynamite's Invention

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  1. A dangerous substance: nitroglycerin

    Nitroglycerin, first synthesized by Italian chemist Ascanio Sobrero in 1847, possessed powerful explosive force but was extremely sensitive to shock and heat, frequently causing unexpected explosions while being handled.

  2. The explosion accident suffered by the Nobel family

    Alfred Nobel's father, Immanuel Nobel, pursued an explosives business using nitroglycerin, and an explosion at a factory in Stockholm in 1864 killed several people, including Alfred's younger brother Emil.

  3. The invention of dynamite in 1867

    Alfred Nobel succeeded in absorbing nitroglycerin into diatomaceous earth, a porous absorbent material, turning it into a solid form that was far more stable against shock, and in 1867 he patented this under the name "dynamite."

  4. Its impact on the mining, tunneling, and construction industries

    Dynamite was both safer to handle and more powerful than existing explosives, so it was widely used in mining, tunnel excavation, and the construction of railroads and canals, dramatically speeding up large-scale civil engineering projects.

  5. The "merchant of death" reputation and its truth

    Because dynamite was also used for military purposes, Nobel faced criticism during his lifetime. It became widely known that when his brother Ludvig died in 1888, a French newspaper mistakenly ran Alfred's obituary instead and described him as a "merchant of death"; however, recent research has confirmed that the original article used far more moderate language than this, raising the possibility that this episode has been somewhat exaggerated in the retelling.

  6. The Nobel Prize, created in response to this reputation

    Concerned about his posthumous reputation, Nobel left a will in 1895 stipulating that most of his fortune be awarded as prizes to those who had made great contributions to humanity, which led to the establishment of the Nobel Prize, first awarded in 1901.

An invention that made a dangerous substance easier to handle

Dynamite, which turned nitroglycerin β€” powerful in explosive force but extremely dangerous to handle β€” into a stable solid, was an invention that completely transformed the construction and mining industries. This page explores how this invention affected the life of its inventor, Alfred Nobel, and ultimately the founding of the Nobel Prize.

Also check out the history of the steam engine's invention

Dynamite greatly accelerated large-scale civil engineering projects, such as railroad tunnels and canal construction. Take a look at our guide to the history of the steam engine's invention as well, which drove the expansion of railway networks in the first place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Nobel create a prize with his fortune?

Nobel faced criticism during his lifetime because dynamite was also used for military purposes. It is widely known that a newspaper article mistaking his brother's 1888 death for his own led Nobel to leave a will directing that a prize be awarded to people who had contributed to humanity β€” though recent research suggests the dramatic details of this story may have been somewhat exaggerated in the retelling.

Is dynamite still used today?

Today, a variety of safer and more efficient industrial explosives have been developed, greatly reducing how often dynamite is used, but it is still used at some sites, such as mines and quarries.