New Delhi: Alfred Nobel is one of those characters in history whose legacy is filled with contrast. On one hand, the Swedish inventor, engineer and businessman is criticised by many for inventing dynamite, a new milestone at that time in the annals of explosives. On the other hand, he bequeathed his fortune to establish the Nobel Prize, one of the leading individual honours in the world right now. Moreover, the man made some serious contributions to the cause of science, as he held some 355 patents when he was alive.
Alfred Nobel, the son of a manufacturer of explosives
Born on October 21, 1833, Alfred Nobel belonged to the prominent Nobel family of Stockholm and his father was an inventor and engineer. As a child, Alfred was sickly and was close to his mother. He was curious from an early age and was notably interested in explosives. On the other hand, his father failed at several ventures before moving to St. Petersburg in Russia in 1837 where he flourished as a manufacturer of explosive mines and machine tools, laying down the groundwork for Alfred.
Alfred Nobel: The genius inventor
Since his childhood, Nobel showed an uncanny flair for science and learning, especially when it came to chemistry and languages. By the age of 16, he had mastered chemistry and had learnt to speak six or seven languages. At the age of 24, he filed his first pattern. An intelligent businessman, Nobel would get involved in many business ventures with his family.
Nobel famously owned the company Bofors which produced iron and steel till then and became a major manufacturer of cannons and other armaments under his leadership. He invented dynamite, his most famous creation and it was patented in 1867. Moreover, he had an abiding interest in literature and wrote plays, novels, and poems, almost all of which remained unpublished.
Alfred Nobel and an immortal prize
Nobel died of a cerebral haemorrhage at his villa in Italy’s San Remo in 1896 and at that time, his business empire had over 90 factories churning out explosives and ammunition. However, the avid manufacturer of weapons surprised everyone after his death when his will was read. Even though he was a generous humanitarian and philanthropist, the fact he left the bulk of his fortune in trust to establish what came to be the most highly regarded of international awards, the Nobel Prize, surprised many. Every year, it recognizes those who do things for the great benefit of mankind.
On one hand, Alfred Nobel is criticised by many for inventing dynamite, a new milestone at that time in the annals of explosives. On the other hand, he bequeathed his fortune to establish the Nobel Prize. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
