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\nDynamite: Where did it come from? | Stuff of Genius\n

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\nIn this episode of Stuff of Genius, we chronicle the invention of dynamite. Subscribe Stuff of Genius tells the story behind everyday inventions. From the bikini to super wheat and everything in between. Viewers will learn the stories of...\nIn this episode of Stuff of Genius, we chronicle the invention of dynamite. Subscribe Stuff of Genius tells the story behind everyday inventions. From the bikini to super wheat and everything in between. Viewers will learn the stories of unsung inventor heroes and their trials, tribulations and successes. TRANSCRIPT: Behold…dynamite. But where did it come from? Meet Alfred Nobel, born in Sweden in 1833. You could say that innovation ran in Alfred’s blood: His father invented mines and torpedoes for Russia. In 1842 Alfred’s father relocated the family from Stockholm to St. Petersburg. In 1859, he returned to Sweden and opened a chemical plant with his family. Of all the things the Nobels could create at their new business, nitroglycerin was perhaps the most dangerous. In its liquid form, nitroglycerin is notoriously volatile – a physical shock can make it explode. The businesses and governments of the time were well aware of nitroglycerin’s potential for destruction: It was illegal to transport in several areas of Europe. Yet everything changed when Alfred accidentally discovered dynamite. But what exactly is it? Dynamite is essentially some an absorbent material soaked in nitroglycerin. This material stabilizes the explosive and makes it much safer to handle. With the help of a blasting cap, dynamite could pack the same punch as nitroglycerin without the looming threat of a sudden explosion. Alfred expanded operations and became incredibly wealthy. It seemed everyone could use dynamite – but not always for peaceful purposes. As a pacifist, Alfred was wracked with guilt, and his invention weighed on his conscience for the rest of his life. This guilt inspired one last invention from Alfred – the Nobel Prizes, which award individuals that “have conferred the greatest benefit on mankind.” Nowadays Alfred Nobel is known as much for these prestigious awards as he is for dynamite.\n
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Resource Details

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Educator Rating
Not yet Rated
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Grade
6th - 11th
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Subjects
All Subjects
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Media Type
Instructional Videos
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Source:
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Date
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2019
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Audiences
For Teacher Use
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\n\" data-title=\"Get Full Access\" data-container=\"body\" rel=\"popover\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Play video: Dynamite: Where did it come from? | Stuff of Genius\" href=\"/subscription/new\">\"Dynamite:\n\n
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