2. Dynamite
In 1864, Alfred Nobel’s nitroglycerin factory exploded, resulting in the tragic death of his brother Emil and several others. Determined to make nitroglycerin safer, Nobel experimented with various substances to stabilize it. He discovered that mixing nitroglycerin with kieselguhr, a porous siliceous earth, transformed the liquid into a paste that could be safely handled and shaped into rods. In 1867, he patented this invention, naming it “dynamite,” derived from the Greek word “dynamis,” meaning “power” (nobelprize.org). Dynamite revolutionized construction and mining by enabling efficient blasting of tunnels, canals, and roads. However, its potential for destruction led Nobel to establish the Nobel Peace Prize, aiming to offset the harmful uses of his invention. (history.com)
