“The first time I saw nitroglycerine was in the beginning of the Crimean War. Professor Zinin in St. Petersburg exhibited some to my father and me, and struck some on an anvil to show that only the part touched by the hammer exploded without spreading.”
- October 21, 1833 – December 10, 1896
- Born in Sweden
- Inventor, chemist, businessman
- Invented dynamite and established the Nobel Prize
table of contents
Quote
“The first time I saw nitroglycerine was in the beginning of the Crimean War. Professor Zinin in St. Petersburg exhibited some to my father and me, and struck some on an anvil to show that only the part touched by the hammer exploded without spreading.”
Explanation
This quote recounts a formative moment in Alfred Nobel’s early exposure to nitroglycerine, the explosive compound that would later define his career. The demonstration by Professor Zinin, which highlighted nitroglycerine’s controlled yet powerful nature, likely ignited Nobel’s fascination with explosives and their potential for industrial and scientific applications. It underscores Nobel’s lifelong interest in harnessing dangerous materials for practical use.
Historically, the Crimean War (1853–1856) was a period of significant military innovation, and advancements in technology were crucial for both warfare and industrial progress. Nobel’s father, Immanuel Nobel, was an inventor involved in armaments and engineering, making this encounter with Zinin and nitroglycerine particularly influential. This moment may have shaped Nobel’s later experiments with stabilizing nitroglycerine into dynamite, enabling its safe and widespread use in construction and other industries.
In modern contexts, this anecdote illustrates the delicate balance between curiosity and responsibility in scientific discovery. Nobel’s eventual establishment of the Nobel Prizes reflects his awareness of the dual nature of such innovations: their potential to benefit or harm humanity. This moment serves as a reminder of how early experiences can shape a visionary’s path, blending inspiration with the ethical challenges of applying knowledge.
