Dynamite, an explosive made from glyceryl trinitrate and using diatomaceous Earth as an absorbent, was invented by Swedish chemist and applied scientist Alfred Nobel. He patented it in 1867 with the main concern of its potential for destruction. Originally, Nobel believed that dynamite would discourage future wars as nations witnessing its devastating force would choose peace over conflict. However, this hope did not come true. Rather than deterring wars, warring states sought new ways to defeat their enemies, forever associating dynamite with Alfred Nobel's name. To change his legacy from being known as the "merchant of death," a label mistakenly given by a French newspaper when confusing his death with that of his brother, Nobel established the Nobel Peace Prize. By creating this prize, he aimed to encourage peaceful contributions to humanity and prove that despite society's
...misconceptions about his invention, he could also be a force for good. The invention and use of dynamite have undoubtedly had significant historical impacts. In today's society, dynamite is employed in a more productive and peaceful manner. Its inventor Alfred Nobel was born on October 21st 1833 in Stockholm Sweden.
Nobel achieved success not just as a chemist, engineer, and owner of a major manufacturing plant but also through his innovation of dynamite. He was dedicated to studying explosives, specifically trinitroglycerin discovered by Asanio Sobrero in 1847. This fascination with explosions drove him to explore the science behind it. In 1865, he established the Alfred Nobel & Co.Factory near Hamburg, Germany where tragically his own brother Emil fell victim to dynamite in 1864. However, only two years later in 1867, Nobel obtained a patent for inventing dynamite and proceeded
to set up factories in the United States, France, and Germany while still maintaining influence in Sweden.
Despite Nobel's intention for his invention to contribute towards peace rather than destruction, it ended up being predominantly associated with death during his lifetime and hindered world peace. Both Nobel himself and the rest of the world faced the dangerous potential of dynamite falling into wrong hands. Although Nobel recognized that his factories had the potential to end wars before any congresses could achieve such an outcome; he hoped that civilized nations would avoid conflict and dismantle their militaries. If this hope had become reality, there would have been fewer victims of humanity's aggression and desire for destruction - which initially was the main purpose of dynamite introduced as "Nobel's Blasting Powder" in 1867 marketed as a safer alternative to gunpowder but equally lethal.The popularity of dynamite grew quickly as its destructive power was recognized by Nobel, who closely monitored its usage. American businessmen successfully manipulated the chemical formula of dynamite to bypass Alfred Nobel's patent restrictions, particularly in America. However, this sinister use of dynamite caused suspicion among the public and increased opposition towards Alfred Nobel himself.
Dynamite is composed of 75% glyceryl trinitrate, 24% diatomaceous Earth, and a small amount of Na carbonate. It is shaped into sticks and wrapped in paper. By nature, dynamite is highly explosive and its chemical composition easily deteriorates over time, compromising its stability. As it ages, dynamite transforms into trinitroglycerin which can accumulate at the bottom of storage areas, posing potential danger.
The transportation of dynamite poses a high risk and can cause intentional or unintentional harm to a significant number of people
in close proximity to an explosion. There are two notable incidents in American history where nihilists used dynamite to promote their distorted ideology. One such incident occurred in 1888 at Haymarket Square in Chicago, Illinois. During the 1870s and 1880s, Chicago was a prominent center for labor union activism as workers sought to organize and consolidate their collective power.In 1886, labor unions organized a one-day strike and demonstration in Chicago to demand better working conditions and an eight-hour workday. The event took place at McCormick Center on May 1st, where two gunshots were fired during a public riot resulting in one fatality. Following this incident, a large protest occurred at Haymarket Square three days later, prompting the Chicago mayor to send additional police officers. Unfortunately, the use of excessive force by these authorities only provoked another riot.
During the chaos, an unidentified individual from the crowd threw a bomb containing dynamite that tragically killed seven police officers and four culprits. The identity of this perpetrator remains unknown. The use of dynamite had unexpected consequences as it not only heightened fears among Americans about hidden malevolent forces within the nation but also strengthened labor leaders' determination to fight for better conditions.
Though some progressive leaders did not support violence, there was uncertainty surrounding the identity of the person who threw the dynamite at Haymarket Square. This led to suspicions pointing towards a member of pro-labor union forces. Law enforcement's response was seen as an excessive use of force, further justifying extreme labor leaders' actions and contributing to the growth of the labor movement in both Chicago and New York.The upward trend within the Progressive Movement gained significant momentum
in subsequent decades. It is important to note that this surge in influence was not solely due to events at Haymarket Square but also to another major labor strike at Pullman Car Company in Chicago during 1894, which became one of the largest strikes of its kind in the 19th century. Although no dynamite was used during this strike, it still inspired countless workers influenced by what happened at Haymarket Square.
In 1920, the Progressive Movement gained more momentum with a significant event - a bombing at the Wall Street Building in downtown Manhattan. This incident was fueled by widespread suspicion and xenophobia prevalent at that time. Socialist groups had been gaining followers and influence, but suspicions about revolutionaries within the city were confirmed when packages containing dynamite were discovered at a New York City Post office addressed to prominent Senators and Congressmen.
These events mirrored similar incidents in Russia three years earlier, although neither achieved the desired outcome of anarchy. Shortly after the Wall Street bombing, which resulted in forty deaths from a horse-drawn wagon filled with dynamite exploding, the stock market remained operational and continued to thrive. This marked an exhilarating decade for stock markets as they experienced significant growth.Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, dynamite's destructive power was evident not only in specific instances or locations. In Ireland, bombings occurred on a weekly basis, serving as a vivid demonstration of its lethal potential right at the doorstep of the United Kingdom. The history of civil unrest in Ireland dates back centuries as it fought for independence from England. Eventually, Ireland gained independence in 1921, with twenty-six out of thirty-two counties becoming a separate country from
England. However, this presented challenges for the Protestant minority who desired to maintain control over six northern counties and remain distinct from the rest of Ireland. To achieve this goal, they voted to align with England and establish an independent Northern Ireland with its own currency.
During this period, Sinn Fein led by Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness turned to violent tactics in their advocacy for a unified Ireland. The IRA and Sinn Fein carried out numerous bombings that tragically resulted in thousands of deaths, primarily innocent civilians. These acts of violence were facilitated by illegal shipments from individuals like Omar Kadafe who provided them with dynamite as weaponry. Each shipment contained explosives intended to target popular establishments such as restaurants and bars where unsuspecting civilians would lose their lives.
Despite the detrimental impact of dynamite in Ireland, such as conflicts between Catholics and Protestants and Unionists and the IRA, its use has had positive effects in different regions. In the United States, for instance, dynamite is extensively utilized in industries like coal mining (67%), non-metal mining (14%), metal excavation (10%), construction (7%), and other miscellaneous purposes (3%). During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, coal was America's primary source of fuel. Nonetheless, while these positive applications exist, it cannot be overlooked that dynamite has significantly hindered lasting peace in Ireland. The bombings carried out by groups like the IRA and Sinn Fein not only isolated them from mainstream society but also undermined support for their cause. It was Bobby Sands' hunger strike that brought attention to the sacrifices made by these groups. Despite Britain's declining influence and ongoing violations of peace agreements in Northern Ireland,
prospects for a united Ireland are now increasingly doubtful. Reconciliation efforts are perceived as meaningless due to potential further deaths among those who have already suffered on both sides. Without dynamite's destructive power leading to numerous deaths and violence between conflicting parties, Ireland's peace process today would face much smaller challenges than it currently does.Dynamite has historically played a crucial role in extracting coal from underground mines and facilitating its transportation by ships and trains, which heavily relied on coal as their main fuel source. While its global significance has diminished over time, dynamite still holds importance in the realm of coal mining. Despite its negative implications for peace, dynamite has proven to be beneficial for industries that depend on efficient resource extraction for economic growth. Its extensive use has greatly benefited society and improved the lives of millions of people. Although safer alternatives have emerged in many areas, dynamite continues to be widely used in coal mining. Furthermore, with America's reduced dependence on Middle Eastern oil and increased emphasis on American coal, there is potential for dynamite's resurgence on a global scale. While modern societies generally align with Alfred Nobel's vision for his invention, individuals who resort to violence still find dynamite appealing; however, warfare now employs nuclear weapons, larger guns, and other forms of chemical warfare instead of dynamite.Nobel's optimism that humanity would abandon dynamite's destructive potential in favor of peaceful measures has proven unfounded, as new innovations in warfare continue to increase an army's killing capacity. While originally intended for human welfare, the use of dynamite has shifted towards practical applications due to its limited effectiveness as a weapon. Multiple sources, including
websites like "World Wide Web," "nchi.mlm," and the "National Institutes of Health" (gov), along with articles from the "Sanger Centre Cambridge" on February 21, 2006, and books such as Ric Burns' "The History of New York," Stephen Bown's "The Most Damnable Invention," Henry Steele Commanger's "Documents of American History," John Perry's "Endgame in Ireland," Mary Elistone's "The Haymarket Square Riot," Joseph Marcazee's "The Use of Dynamite in History," and nobelprize.org offer insights into dynamite's effectiveness.
