Alfred Nobel Alfred Nobel
Alfred Bernhard Nobel was born to Immanuel and Andriette Nobel on October 21, 1833. He had two older brothers, Robert and Ludvig. He was born into Stockholm, Sweden, in a small apartment his parents could barely afford because they had gone bankrupt that year. His father left for St. Petersburg, Russia when he was five. Four years later, the rest of Alfred’s family went to live with their father. The youngest brother, Emil, was born less than a year afterwards.
"As a youth, Alfred considered a career as a writer." Immanuel sent Alfred off in 1850 to be tutored by scientists in different countries. This was to convince Alfred to go in the career of being an inventor.
In 1855, there was an obituary in a French newspaper for Alfred. There was one problem; Alfred wasn't dead. The newspaper had mistaken Alfred for his brother, Ludwig, who had died instead. This changed Alfred, because he saw what impact his inventions had.
Alfred began experimenting with nitroglycerin and created his first explosions in 1862. In 1863 he got his first patent for nitroglycerin. A small factory Alfred had established near Stockholm blew up in 1864. This accident killed several people in the lab and nearby, including his younger brother Emil. He continued researching and experimenting, showing that the explosion had not stopped or slowed him.
In 1867, Alfred finally created the safe-to-handle explosive, which he called dynamite.
In 1876, Bertha Von Suttner came to be a secretary for Alfred Nobel, but left after Alfred expressed interest in marrying her. They stayed in touch afterwards through letters. Alfred met a young girl named Sofie Hess later on, who he had a relationship for 12 years. It ended when Alfred learned she was pregnant with another man's child, though Alfred kept supporting her financially.
In 1887, Alfred created ballistite, a smokeless gun powder. It would help in war.
In 1896, on December 10, Alfred Nobel died in San Remo, Italy from a cerebral hemorrhage. "What he feared most happened: he died alone, surrounded only by paid servants." (Alfred Nobel: A Biography)
In order to change how people saw his inventions, Alfred decided we would give an award to society. This award would be given to someone who had helped humanity in the best way that year. Many think this prize was inspired by Bertha von Suttner and her act of peace. The prizes started in 1901. (See The Nobel Prizes for more information)
Alfred's Health
Alfred was sick a lot. He was very frail, and when he was born, he was expected not to make it. His sickness contained indigestion, headaches, and bouts of depression. Constant work with chemicals could have damaged his health even further.
Alfred's Personality
"Alfred Nobel - pitiable half-creature, should have been stifled by humane doctor when he made his entry yelling into life. Greatest merits: Keeps his nails clean and is never a burden to anyone. Greatest fault: Lacks family, cheerful spirits, and strong stomach. Greatest and only petition: Not to be buried alive. Greatest sin: Does not worship Mammon. Important events in his life: None."
Alfred Nobel in a letter to his brother, Ludwig (1887)
Alfred Nobel wasn't very happy. He would often complain that about different subjects, such as the education of Sofie or his inventions. It is clear in some of his letters to different people that he was not a pleasant man.
"His letters [Alfred] testify to his inability to establish intimacy with more than a few people, such as his colleagues Alarik Liedbeck and Ragnar Sohlman. As he got older, Alfred increasingly isolated himself, entrenching himself more and more in his library at Avenue Malakoff." (Alfred Nobel: A Biography)
"As a youth, Alfred considered a career as a writer." Immanuel sent Alfred off in 1850 to be tutored by scientists in different countries. This was to convince Alfred to go in the career of being an inventor.
In 1855, there was an obituary in a French newspaper for Alfred. There was one problem; Alfred wasn't dead. The newspaper had mistaken Alfred for his brother, Ludwig, who had died instead. This changed Alfred, because he saw what impact his inventions had.
Alfred began experimenting with nitroglycerin and created his first explosions in 1862. In 1863 he got his first patent for nitroglycerin. A small factory Alfred had established near Stockholm blew up in 1864. This accident killed several people in the lab and nearby, including his younger brother Emil. He continued researching and experimenting, showing that the explosion had not stopped or slowed him.
In 1867, Alfred finally created the safe-to-handle explosive, which he called dynamite.
In 1876, Bertha Von Suttner came to be a secretary for Alfred Nobel, but left after Alfred expressed interest in marrying her. They stayed in touch afterwards through letters. Alfred met a young girl named Sofie Hess later on, who he had a relationship for 12 years. It ended when Alfred learned she was pregnant with another man's child, though Alfred kept supporting her financially.
In 1887, Alfred created ballistite, a smokeless gun powder. It would help in war.
In 1896, on December 10, Alfred Nobel died in San Remo, Italy from a cerebral hemorrhage. "What he feared most happened: he died alone, surrounded only by paid servants." (Alfred Nobel: A Biography)
In order to change how people saw his inventions, Alfred decided we would give an award to society. This award would be given to someone who had helped humanity in the best way that year. Many think this prize was inspired by Bertha von Suttner and her act of peace. The prizes started in 1901. (See The Nobel Prizes for more information)
Alfred's Health
Alfred was sick a lot. He was very frail, and when he was born, he was expected not to make it. His sickness contained indigestion, headaches, and bouts of depression. Constant work with chemicals could have damaged his health even further.
Alfred's Personality
"Alfred Nobel - pitiable half-creature, should have been stifled by humane doctor when he made his entry yelling into life. Greatest merits: Keeps his nails clean and is never a burden to anyone. Greatest fault: Lacks family, cheerful spirits, and strong stomach. Greatest and only petition: Not to be buried alive. Greatest sin: Does not worship Mammon. Important events in his life: None."
Alfred Nobel in a letter to his brother, Ludwig (1887)
Alfred Nobel wasn't very happy. He would often complain that about different subjects, such as the education of Sofie or his inventions. It is clear in some of his letters to different people that he was not a pleasant man.
"His letters [Alfred] testify to his inability to establish intimacy with more than a few people, such as his colleagues Alarik Liedbeck and Ragnar Sohlman. As he got older, Alfred increasingly isolated himself, entrenching himself more and more in his library at Avenue Malakoff." (Alfred Nobel: A Biography)