ALFRED NOBEL
Alfred Bernhard Nobel (1833-1896) was a Swedish chemist, businessman,
scientist, engineer, and philanthropist. He also wrote poetry and Literature.
Alfred Nobel was born on 21 October 1833, in Stockholm in Sweden. Alfred’s
father, Immanuel Nobel was an engineer. Alfred Nobel was a brilliant and
curious child. He loved to study in school. But he stayed at home most of the
time because he used to fall sick. In the year 1842, Alfred’s family moved to
Russia. Alfred was educated at home in Russia. He learned many languages
like English, Russian, German and French. Alfred had more interest in physics
and chemistry but he was much good at poetry and drama. He was sent to
Paris to study and to become a chemical engineer. After one year, he went to
the United States to learn technical skills. Instead, he learned poetry and
Literature. At the age of 19, Alfred returned to Russia. He helped his father in
the factory to make weapons for Russia during Crimean War. Sadly, Russia lost that war, resulting in the
shutting down of Alfred’s father’s factory. Alfred’s mother and father went back to Sweden. But Alfred
Nobel and his two brothers continued their business.
Alfred Nobel began to work on his experiments for developing nitroglycerine as an explosive. In the year
1865, Alfred designed an explosive device known as the blasting cap. In 1867, Nobel invented an explosive
called ‘Dynamite’. Later, he formulated gelatinous dynamite by mixing nitrocellulose and nitroglycerin in
1875. After that invention, he substituted ammonium nitrate and created a less expensive explosive called
extra dynamite. Many countries preferred to buy the extra dynamite as it was more cheap and safe
compared to the original dynamite. In 1887, he mixed 60 % of nitroglycerin and 40 % of low nitrogen and
he built smokeless powders called cordites and ballistite. Alfred had put up his factories in more than 20
countries. Alfred Nobel stopped producing dynamite as he found out that it was harmful to society and
invested all his money to establish a Nobel foundation and he organized Nobel prizes. These prizes were to
be given to men and women for their outstanding accomplishments in the fields of physics, chemistry,
economics, physiology or medicine and literature. But most importantly for working towards World Peace.
The invention of nitroglycerine was a huge success for Alfred Nobel. So, he framed a factory in his
hometown, Sweden. Alfred’s experiments were used at mines and construction areas. But nitroglycerine
was a hazardous and dangerous explosive. It would explode and break out if it was dealt with little
carelessness. In the year 1864, a massive explosion occurred in the Swedish factory of Alfred. It killed 5
people, including his young brother Emil. This affected Alfred a big deal. People started to criticize him for
inventing such harmful and life-threatening explosives. Society did not want such a factory in the middle of
the city. So he moved his factory onto a ship that was in the middle of a lake. Alfred then set out to
produce explosives that are much safer for the workers. In 1867, Alfred made a mixture of Nitroglycerine
with an absorbent substance, and he patented it with the name called ‘Dynamite’. Later, Nobel
experimented with Dynamite in Germany and he was acknowledged for his efforts. He was worried about
the fact that his inventions of explosives could kill and annihilate several people. He tried to find a way that
leads to world peace. He never wanted to be remembered as a person who invented explosives.
Accordingly, Alfred Nobel set aside his fortune and his estate to launch the Nobel prizes. Alfred became
very sick in the year 1896 and died due to a heart attack in the same year on 10 December 1896. Since
then, Nobel prizes have been awarded to people who have excelled in the sciences, literature, poetry, and
especially towards world peace and happiness.
Questions :
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What were the major contributions of Alfred Nobel?
Why did many countries purchase extra dynamite instead of the original dynamite ?
What are the six Nobel prize categories?
Why did people criticize Alfred for inventing ‘Nitroglycerine’?
What made Alfred think to introduce Nobel prizes?