The inventor of radio - A. S. Popov At the Turin mines of the former Bogoslovsky district (now the city of Krasnoturinsk) in the Northern Urals, on March 16 (4), 1859, Alexander Stepanovich Popov was born into the family of a local priest. A thin, blond boy, always pensive, he

Almost all people in the world know about Alfred Nobel today. His famous Nobel Prize is sought by researchers and scientists. This is how this amazing man entered world history.

Although many also know that the great Alfred Nobel also invented dynamite during his lifetime. Nobel's biography is an interesting life story of the inventor and personality.

On October 21, 2833, Alfred Bernhard Nobel, the future famous chemist and inventor, engineer and founder of a huge world-class award, was born in the Swedish city of Stockholm. The biography of this interesting person surprises many biographers to this day.

Alfred was born to the family of Emmanuel and Andrietta Nobel, who had eight offspring in total. But only four survived: Alfred, Robert, Emil and Ludwig.

Although later, at the age of twenty, during experiments with dynamite discovered by Alfred Nobel, another son of the Nobel couple, Emil, dies. This grief breaks the father of the family with paralysis, leaves a deep bitter mark in the soul of Alfred himself. But he still does not leave his ideas and makes discoveries one after another.

Key dates in the life of the founder of the famous Nobel Prize

A brief biography of Alfred Nobel can be represented by the following main events:

• 1842 - the Nobel family moved to St. Petersburg. Alfred Nobel developed the idea of ​​producing torpedoes.
• 1849 - Alfred Nobel begins to study in Europe and America. For two years the young man travels the world, visits Denmark, Italy, Germany, France, then America.
• 1851 - return to Russia. Alfred Nobel becomes a manufacturer, fulfilling the orders of the Russian army.
• 1853 - The Crimean War helps the Nobel family business to make good profits and enter the heyday.
• 1859 - Ludwig Emmanuel Nobel becomes a manufacturer. Due to the bankruptcy of the family business, Alfred returns to Sweden with his father and begins to work closely on explosives. At the same time, he receives a loan of 100 thousand francs and begins research work in the field of chemistry, experimenting and inventing new elements, compounds and mixtures.
• 1868 - Alfred Nobel discovers dynamite, consisting of a mixture of nitroglycerin with other substances that have the ability to absorb it.
• 1876 ​​- the discovery of "explosive jelly" - the combination of nitroglycerin with collodion. This "jelly" had a stronger explosiveness than the previously discovered dynamite. The following years are full of discoveries of other combinations of nitroglycerin with substances. The first smokeless powder, called ballistite, was a huge leap ahead of dynamite. Ballistite is followed by the discovery of cordite.
• 1889 - participation in the World Peace Congress.
• 1894, 1895 - Litigation over Nobel's statement that cordite was already included in his earlier patent of discoveries.
• 1896, December 10, a villa in San Remo in Italy - Alfred Nobel died of a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of sixty-three. Nobel's tomb is located at the Stockholm cemetery Norra begravningsplatsen.

This is the fate of Alfred Nobel, presented in a brief biography of the greatest man of world renown.

An interesting but little known fact

Few people know, but Alfred Nobel not only invented dynamite and established a nominal prize, he revealed his dramatic talent. True, the biography of Nobel the playwright cannot boast of an extensive list of works he created. The bulk of his works - novels, poems, plays - were never published. Only one work is known - a play about Beatrice Cenci called "Nemesis", completed by him already at death.

This tragedy in four acts was met with hostility by churchmen, so the entire circulation of the publication, published in 1896, was destroyed after Nobel's death, with the exception of three copies.

But, fortunately, in Sweden in 2003, a bilingual edition of the play was published, written both in Swedish and in Esperanto. And in 2005, the world had the good fortune to get acquainted with this work, played on the Stockholm stage in memory of the great scientist on the day of his death.

This fact indicates how versatile this amazing person, Alfred Nobel, was talented. And it will seem quite surprising to many that the famous inventor and chemist was seriously thinking about giving up his research and experiments and setting foot on the path of writing.

I wonder if the population of the earth would have won then or turned out to be a loser? After all, perhaps dynamite would not have been invented then, or would have been invented much later. And instead of it, we would get a lot of talented works of the highest level ...

The character of a man with a worldwide reputation

Alfred Nobel surprised his contemporaries with his controversial character. Not everyone understood his paradoxical behavior. Being quite wealthy, Alfred gravitated downright to the Spartan way of life, he longed for solitude. Indeed, in the era of developing capitalism, many successful businessmen were not such.

However, fate seemed to deliberately put him in conditions that disgusted him. Life forced Nobel, who could not stand the bustle of the city, to spend most of his time in cities. Being a homebody and preferring thoughts in quiet solitude, Alfred Nobel spent a lot of time traveling around the world.

Working on explosives and mixtures, Alfred Nobel was an opponent of murder and violence, did a great job in the name of peace on earth. But the fact remains: dynamite was discovered by him.

Alfred Nobel surprised his contemporaries by the fact that he led a healthy lifestyle, as they would say today. He had a negative attitude towards alcohol, smoking, gambling.

At that time, bigwigs, by and large, were engaged in two things: making money without thinking about their "smell", and spending millions, trying to "take everything out of life that you can." Alfred Nobel, preferring solitude, loved to read. In his chic library were the works of the great scientists of that time. With pleasure Nobel Alfred read his contemporaries: Maupassant, Balzac, Turgenev, Hugo.

Fashionable at that time, the naturalism inherent in the writer's pen of Emile Zola was not to Nobel's taste. But he could re-read the works of philosophers of all times several times, reflecting on this or that position and making his own unique notes and developments on this or that issue. After all, Alfred Nobel himself was not only a chemist, but also a doctor of philosophy.

In memory of discoveries

Alfred Nobel, inventing dynamite and other explosive mixtures, was an ardent pacifist. He saw a different application of his discoveries, which would help develop the progress of mankind, and not kill each other. But the persecution that began in the media about the fact that Alfred Nobel was able to invent dynamite prompted him to think that another bright mark should be left in this world.

So the inventor came to the decision to establish a nominal prize after his death, writing a will on November 27, 1895, according to which most of his accumulated fortune - 31 million crowns - goes to the Nobel Prize fund. This fact of Nobel's life made his biography a historical milestone on a global scale.

In addition to the well-known Nobel Prize, Alfred Nobel entered world history as the discoverer of the chemical element, which was named Nobelium in his honor.

The name of the great scientist-chemist is Dnepropetrovsk University and the Stockholm Institute of Physics and Chemistry.

Swedish chemical engineer, entrepreneur, founder of the famous awards Alfred Bernhard Nobel was born on October 21, 1833 in Stockholm. His father, Immanuel Nobel, was an engineer and inventor. In 1837, due to financial problems, he moved to Finland and then to Russia, settling in St. Petersburg.
Alfred's mother, Andriette Nobel, remained in Stockholm to take care of the family, which at that time had two more children besides Alfred - Robert and Ludwig.

In Russia, Emmanuel Nobel proposed to Tsar Nicholas I a new design of sea mines. After the tests, the Russian government allocated money to Nobel for the development of the case. Soon he received permission to establish a foundry for the production of weapons. The Nobel plant produced machines for the production of cart wheels, the first systems in Russia for heating houses with hot water. In 1853, Emmanuel received the Imperial Gold Medal for equipping 11 warships with steam engines made by him.

In October 1842, Andrietta and her children came to her husband, and a year later another son, Emil, appeared in their family.

The four Nobel brothers received a first-class home education with the help of visiting teachers. Children were engaged in natural sciences, studied languages ​​and literature. At the age of 17, Alfred could speak and write in Swedish, Russian, French, English and German.

In 1850, his father sent Alfred on a trip to France, Italy, Germany and the United States. In Paris, for a year, the young man worked in the laboratory of the famous chemist Theophile Jules Pelouse, who in 1836 established the composition of glycerin. Ascanio Sobrero worked in his laboratory from 1840 to 1843, who first obtained nitroglycerin.

In 1852, Alfred returned to St. Petersburg and continued to work at his father's enterprise.

After the defeat of Russia in the Crimean War, Nobel lost military orders, and his enterprise went bankrupt. In 1859 he returned to Sweden with his wife and Emil. Robert moved to Finland, Ludwig very successfully liquidated his father's plant and founded his own plant, Ludwig Nobel, which would later be called Russian Diesel. Alfred Nobel worked for the famous chemist Nikolai Zinin, who, since 1853, had been experimenting with nitroglycerin (together with his student Vasily Petrushevsky). In May 1862, Alfred Nobel began his first independent experiments with this substance, and in 1863 he made an underwater explosion in the suburbs of St. Petersburg, using a fuse invented by him, later called "Nobel". An attempt to patent a method of using nitroglycerin as an explosive at the Main Engineering Directorate of St. Petersburg ended in failure, and Nobel went to his parents in Stockholm. Here he engaged in further experiments with nitroglycerin and in October 1864 received a patent in Sweden for the production of an explosive mixture and his fuse. At the same time, together with his father and brothers, he began the construction of two factories for the production of nitroglycerin. However, soon there was a powerful explosion on one of them, located in Heleborg, as a result of which Alfred's younger brother, Emil, died.

Accidents while working with nitroglycerin occurred more and more often, and the Swedish government imposed a ban on its production. To avoid bankruptcy, Nobel undertook an intensive search for ways to reduce the explosiveness of nitroglycerin. In 1866, he discovered that the power of nitroglycerin stabilizes diatomaceous earth, a finely porous sedimentary rock composed of the silicon skeletons of unicellular marine organisms, diatoms. He mixed nitroglycerin with diatomaceous earth and in 1867 received a patent for his discovery, dynamite.

Interest in dynamite was exceptionally great, and the construction of factories for its production began in a number of countries. Some of them were built by Nobel himself; others purchased a license to use his patents. During this period, the Swedish engineer and inventor proved himself to be an outstanding entrepreneur and a good financier. At the same time, he continued his research in the field of chemistry and created new, even more effective explosives. In 1887, after numerous experiments, he received a smokeless nitroglycerin gunpowder - ballistite. The products of Nobel's dynamite factories quickly conquered the international market and brought in huge profits. At the same time, Nobel himself was an ardent pacifist and maintained ties with some public figures of the late 19th century who were preparing the Congress for Peace.

On March 14, 1893, Nobel made a will in which he disposed of the main part of the inheritance after the payment of debts and taxes, as well as deducting the share and gift bequeathed to the heirs in the amount of 1% of the Austrian Peace League and 5% of Stockholm University, the Stockholm Hospital and the Karolinska Medical Institute, hand over to the Royal Academy of Sciences. This amount was intended "to form a fund, the proceeds of which will be distributed annually by the Academy as a reward for the most important and original discoveries or intellectual achievements in a wide field of knowledge and progress." On November 27, 1895, Nobel wrote a second will, canceling the first. The new text of the will stated that his entire fortune should be turned into money, which should be invested in reliable shares and other securities - they form a fund. The annual income from this fund shall be divided into five parts and distributed as follows: one part is given for the largest discovery in the field of physics, the second - for the largest discovery or invention in the field of chemistry, the third - for discoveries in the field of physiology and medicine, the remaining two parts are intended to reward individuals who have achieved success in the field of literature or the peace movement.

December 7, 1896 Nobel suffered a cerebral hemorrhage, and December 10, 1896 died in San Remo (Italy). He was buried at the Norra cemetery in Stockholm.
Nobel's second will was opened in January 1897. After completing all the formalities, Nobel's idea became a reality: on June 29, 1900, the foundation's charter was approved by the Swedish Parliament. The first Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1901.

During his life, Nobel patented 355 inventions in various countries. Nobel's companies were located in about 20 countries, and various explosives were produced according to his patents in 100 factories around the world.

Nobel lived and worked in many countries, including Sweden, Russia, France, Great Britain, Germany and Italy. He was passionate about literature and wrote poetry and plays. In his youth, he seriously hesitated, deciding whether to become an inventor or a poet, and shortly before his death he wrote the tragedy Nemesis.

The material was prepared on the basis of information from RIA Novosti and open sources

(1833 - 1896)

When at the end of the XIX century. relatives of the inventor of dynamite, a businessman who set up industrial production of explosives - Alfred Nobel - got acquainted with his will, they were seized by despair. This amazing philanthropist of the peace movement on the European continent bequeathed almost all of his capital and increased wealth to the community for the establishment in the homeland of the International Fund, which, perpetuating the genitive name of the founder, would be able to serve the progress of mankind, the greatness of knowledge, the flourishing of culture and the strengthening of peace on the planet.

So, Sweden, glorified by its faithful son, and in the 20th century, as well as in the third millennium, starts at the most advanced frontiers of the civilized world, continues to proclaim purity of thought, sincerity of scientific analysis and fidelity to the ideas of the Great Nobel, each time presenting new names of Nobel Prize winners in physics, chemistry, physiology and medicine, economics, literature and the Peace Prize.

Alfred Bernhard Nobel was born on October 21, 1833 in Stockholm. His father, Emmanuel Nobel, an architect by training and an inventor by vocation, supported himself by odd jobs.

Mother - Carolina Henriette Alsel gave birth to 8 children, and Alfred was the third of four sons who were destined to survive. The boy was very weak and did not have good health throughout his life.

The family was going through difficult times, and, leaving his wife and children in Sweden, the father was forced to go first to Finland, and eventually, at the invitation of the Russian government, to St. Petersburg. In Russia, Nobel Sr. proved to be an energetic entrepreneur and a talented inventor: he founded a mechanical plant and effectively satisfied the demand of the Russian army for mines, and the industry for lathes.

When Alfred was 9 years old, the family moved to his father in Russia. Having been educated at home (and he was a diligent and hardworking student, especially capable in physics and chemistry), 17-year-old Alfred Nobel went on a trip to Europe and America for three years. In Paris, the young Nobel deepened his knowledge in the field of chemistry, and in the USA, having met his compatriot, the inventor of the steam engine, John Eriksson, he became interested in this craft.

During the Russian-Crimean War (1853 - 1856), Alfred Nobel, returning to St. Petersburg, works in his father's company "Fonderie et atelier mecanique Nobel et fices", which specializes in the production of ammunition. After the end of the war, orders for peacetime products were not enough and the company experienced a financial crisis, and in 1859 it completely went bankrupt. The older brothers, Robert and Ludwig, remained in Russia, arranging their own life path, and Alfred with his parents and younger brother Emil returned to Stockholm.

In Sweden, Alfred decided to do mechanical and chemical experiments in his father's small laboratory on the outskirts of Stockholm. This decision determined his entire future fate.

However, during experiments with nitroglycerin in 1864, a tragedy occurred in the Nobel laboratory: several workers died through an unforeseen explosion, including the younger brother Emil, who was only 21 years old. His father was paralyzed, and until his death he remained bedridden.

That same year, Nobel convinced the management of the Swedish State Railways to use an explosive he had developed for tunneling and obtained financial support from Swedish merchants. Nitroglycerin LTD was founded and a plant was built. A year later, Nobel opened in Hamburg the first of his foreign companies, Alfred Nobel and Co. In 1866, he received a US patent and created the American company Atlantic Giant Rowler K. Nobel was constantly looking for ways to industrialize nitroglycerin. The idea of ​​using an absorbent material to mix with liquid nitroglycerin led the inventor to create "Nobel powder" - dynamite, a safe explosive.

Alfred Nobel patented the invention of dynamite and detonators (1867) joining the ranks of conducting scientists and businessmen in his day.

The creative genius of Alfred Nobel was primarily aimed at peaceful applications: laying mines, tunnels, building roads, extinguishing forest fires, etc. He opposed the use of his discoveries for military purposes. By the way, dynamite became a tool for drilling in the Baku oil fields, which enriched his two older brothers.

But this gifted and sensitive man is known not only as the "King of Dynamite". The multi-talented scientist, in addition to Swedish, mastered four more languages ​​(Russian, English, German and French) while working in the laboratory or at his desk from morning till night.

In addition to explosives, Nobel was interested in the manufacture of rubber and rayon, the synthesis of new materials and communication systems. At the end of his life, Nobel had 355 patents for various inventions, 93 companies and enterprises in 20 countries that produced 66.5 thousand tons of explosives. Many of the companies founded by Nobel not only have not lost their significance today, but have also turned into world-class industrial giants.

Over time, Alfred Nobel became interested in the moral and humanitarian problems of war, peace and the stable coexistence of different countries and peoples. An important role in shaping his views was played by his acquaintance and lengthy correspondence with Baroness Bertha von Sutner, who devoted her life to the struggle for peace. their communication was beneficial to both of them. The baroness, who demanded a ban on the production and use of explosives throughout the world, significantly influenced the views of the great inventor of explosives. However, on the other hand, it was Nobel's financial support for the peace movement that contributed to the establishment of pacifist ideas on the European continent. In all likelihood, he makes his historical testament not without the influence of the famous champion of peace. Irrefutable is the fact that the inventor of dynamite, Alfred Nobel, at the end of his earthly life, founded an exceptionally significant award in the world of human progress today. It is symbolic that at one time in 1905 it was awarded to Baroness Bertha von Sutner, a peacemaker and a good adviser to Alfred Nobel in life.

Nobel's personal life did not work out. God did not give him a family and children. Although already at a fairly mature age, he had hope for family happiness when he met the Parisian flower saleswoman Sophie Hess. their relationship lasted 18 years, but was limited mainly to Sophie's financial support from Nobel.

In the last years of his life, he bravely endured the loss of his mother and both older brothers. 1896 Nobel began to suffer pain in his heart. Warned by experts about the development of angina, he reported a lot of effort to complete unfinished business, as well as writing down his dying wish.

The famous testament was written by Nobel a year before his death on November 2, 1895 in Paris. The will stated:

“I, signed below by Alfred Bernhard Nobel, having considered and decided, declare my will regarding the property acquired by me at the time of death.

All the property that remains after me and that can be sold is distributed in this way: the executors must transfer my capital into securities, creating a fund, interest from which will be issued in the form of a bonus to those who during the previous year have brought the greatest benefit to humanity. The indicated percentages must be divided into five equal parts, which are assigned: the first part to the one who has made the most important discovery or invention in the field of physics, the second to the one who has made a major discovery or improvement in the field of chemistry, the third - therefore, who has achieved outstanding success in the fields of physiology or medicine, the fourth - the creator of the most significant literary work that reflects human ideals, the fifth - the one who contributed to the unification of peoples, the elimination of slavery, the reduction in the number of existing armies, as well as a peace agreement. Prizes in physics and chemistry should be awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, physiology and medicine - the Royal Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, and literature - the Swedish Academy in Stockholm, the Peace Prize - a committee of five men elected by the Norwegian Storting. My particular desire is that the nationality of the candidate should not influence the awarding of prizes, so that the most deserving ones will receive the prize, regardless of whether they are Scandinavians or not.”

An unusual monument has been erected on Petrogradskaya Square in St. Petersburg. It is a bronze tree of a bizarre shape, the roots of which go into granite. A large bird sits in the branches. On the edge of the pedestal there is an inscription Alfred Nobel. The biography of this person is filled with a variety of events. Let's consider some of them.

memorial place

The embankment near the Vyborg side is directly related to the life and work of Alfred Nobel. Here, until 1999, there was a world-famous machine-building plant. It was founded in 1862 by Ludwig Nobel. Alfred - the great scientist - is his younger brother. The family spent a long time in Russia. The father, together with his sons, was engaged in the industrial production of engines, components for mechanisms and machines. They also worked in the oil industry. They established the extraction, processing and transportation of raw materials. The family took an active part in equipping the Russian fleet and army with shells, mines, and bombs. Meanwhile, the Nobels were busy not only in commerce. They gave a lot of money and effort to charitable causes. They established various scholarships, funded research, maintained medical, cultural and educational institutions.

Family

The future great scientist spent his childhood in Stockholm. His father was Emmanuel Nobel. Alfred by 1842 was one of 4 children who survived at the time of arrival in Russia. The need to move was associated with the plight of the family. The father was very talented. He understood construction, architecture and many other areas. He tried his best to provide for his family. The last attempt was the opening of an enterprise for the production of elastic fabrics. However, things did not work out, so the family moved first to Finland, which at that time was part of Russia, and then to St. Petersburg. This is where I actually grew up. Alfred Nobel. Nationality did not prevent him from achieving outstanding success later.

Stay in Russia

At that time the Empire was on the rise. In Russia, the era of the formation and development of industry began. The family got used to the new place quite quickly. My father began to produce lathes and equipment for them. In addition, he was engaged in the production of metal cases for mines, invented by him. The family settled in a large house. Teachers were hired for the children. All the sons of Emmanuel were hardworking and talented people. From an early age, he showed a love for work and Alfred Nobel. Interesting Facts his early years can be found in various sources. In one of them, for example, it is indicated that the future scientist was fluent in several languages. Among them were Russian, English, German and French. At the age of 17, Alfred went to the USA, Germany and France. For three years he continued his education.

Alfred Nobel: biography of a scientist

After a three-year study abroad, he returned to Russia and got a job at his father's enterprise, which produced ammunition for the Crimean campaign. At the end of the war in 1856, the manufactory demanded an urgent reorganization. This was done by the brothers Robert and Ludwig. The parents returned to Sweden with their younger children. A new era for the family has begun in Stockholm. Parents settled in an estate in the suburbs of Stockholm. An experimental laboratory was set up here. In it, the elder Nobel conducted his experiments with detonation. Alfred soon joined his father in research. Black powder was used as the only explosive at that time. The properties of nitroglycerin have already been described. In 1847, it was first synthesized by the Italian chemist Ascanio Sobrero. However, it was impossible to use nitroglycerin for its intended purpose. The danger lay in the rapid transition of matter into an exploding gas from any state.

First achievements

The main part of the experiments was carried out by Emmanuel Nobel. Alfred first looked for sponsors. In 1861 a patron of the arts was found. He gave the researchers 100,000 francs. However, it is worth saying that Alfred was not particularly interested in working with explosive compounds. But at the same time, he could not refuse to help his father. After 2 years, Alfred Bernhard Nobel created the first device to secure work with nitroglycerin. The substance was placed in a separate, sealed tank. The detonator was placed in an adjacent compartment - a primer, which later began to be cast from metal. The created device almost completely excluded the possibility of a spontaneous explosion. With its subsequent improvement, black powder began to be replaced by mercury. During one of the experiments, an explosion occurred, as a result of which 8 people died, including Alfred's younger brother, Emil. The father took the death of his son very hard. Some time later, there was a stroke that chained him to bed for almost 7 years. Emmanuel Nobel was never able to get back on his feet and died in 1872 at the age of 71.

Love for books

Alfred Nobel was known for his love of reading. In his library, he included not only the scientific works of various authors, but also classical works. Nobel was very fond of French and Russian writers. Among them were Hugo, Balzac, Maupassant. Nobel read Turgenev's novels in both Russian and French. It is worth saying that he was not only a chemist, but also a philosopher. Nobel had a Ph.D.

writing

Alfred Nobel also showed interest in him. Dynamite - the substance he patented - was not the goal of all his activities. In general, it can be said that commerce was a means of subsistence, and not a favorite pastime. It is possible that he would have become a writer. Unfortunately, only one of his works has survived - a play in verse about Beatrice of Chechnya ("Nemesis").

Job after father's death

All, What did Alfred Nobel invent brought him a large income. At the same time, he himself exercised control over technological processes, selected personnel for the enterprise, and corresponded with partners. Nobel showed exceptional responsibility. He monitored accounting operations, advertising campaigns, sales of products, and participated in negotiations with suppliers. Inventions of Alfred Nobel used in a wide variety of industries. At the same time, the scientist saw great prospects in the use of explosive compounds for peaceful purposes. So, Nobel's dynamite was used in the mountainous region of Sera Nevada for laying a railway track.

First foreign enterprise

It was founded in 1865. The main office was in Hamburg. It is worth saying that working with explosive compounds is never without accidents. The new venture was no exception. Nobel was forced to constantly address issues related to security. His greatest desire was to create explosives that would be used exclusively for peaceful purposes.

Trip to America

Nobel went to the USA in 186. Here he wanted to establish a new enterprise. However, the entrepreneur did not like the business world very much. He had the opinion that local merchants were showing too much desire to receive money. Because of this, the pleasure of communicating with them was lost. The actions taken by American businessmen clouded the joy of cooperation and constantly reminded them of their true goals.

Successful experiment

In 1867, a safe explosive was finally created. Nobel patented dynamite. It was a powder, which included nitroglycerin and a chemically inert substance. The latter was the mineral diatomaceous earth. These are the fossilized remains of a diatom (sea plant). Dynamite was poured into drilled holes and exploded using a cord connected to a detonator. This allowed the person to be at a safe distance from the epicenter. Nobel's invention is used in various fields today.

ballistite

He became the next discovery. After dynamite, explosive jelly was created. It was a mixture of gunpowder and nitroglycerin. Subsequently, Nobel created ballistite - a smokeless explosive. A few years later it was improved by Ael and Dewar. They created cordite based on ballistite. The scientists patented their invention as a novelty. However, this was incorrect, since its basis was ballistite. Nobel tried to challenge the patent in court, but the government of England opposed him, and the scientist lost. It is worth saying that he quite often had to enter into such conflicts.

public views

Nobel opposed the granting of voting rights to women. He expressed great doubts about the reasonableness and effectiveness of the democratic model. Along with this, Nobel was against despotism. The employees of his enterprises were socially protected many times better than the personnel of other owners. Nobel believed that a well-educated, high-moral, well-fed and healthy person would bring much more benefit to the cause than a roughly exploited mass of illiterate people. He spent a lot of money on creating conditions for normal work. He paid special attention to security measures. His contemporaries called him a socialist. Even though he didn't think of himself as such.

The good of society

Nobel believed that all his inventions should be used for peaceful purposes. The steam engine was created in the second half of the 19th century. His appearance gave a huge impetus to the development of the economy. As a result, railways began to be built everywhere, tunnels were made. All of these works used Nobel's dynamite. Explosives were used to clear canals and deepen the bottom of reservoirs when laying shipping lanes. If we talk about the military sphere, then Nobel believed that if both sides had the same weapons, then there would be no clashes.

Error in obituary

At the beginning of his career as an industrial magnate, Nobel did not plan to bequeath his capital to charitable causes. However, his views changed in his later years. Ludwig died in 1888. Alfred's death was erroneously reported in the newspapers. At the same time, he was called a merchant of death, a man who made his fortune on blood. These messages greatly shocked Nobel's mother. She became ill and died a year later. Of course, Alfred himself could not remain indifferent to the articles either. He moved to Italy. There Nobel settled in San Remo, in a secluded villa. On it, he equipped a laboratory and set up experiments on the synthesis of artificial silk and rubber.

last will

During the years of his stay in San Remo, the scientist and entrepreneur began to think about how to dispose of his fortune. By that time, a reliable enterprise management system was in place, and profit distribution was controlled. Watching all this himself is considered the key achievement of this man. In his last will, he indicated that most of his fortune should go to reward great scientists and people whose work is aimed at strengthening the world. 31 million Swedish marks - the amount allocated for this Alfred Nobel. Nobel Prize was established in the fields of chemistry, physics, medicine/physiology. The reward was also due to the person who created an outstanding literary work. One fifth should be given to those who have made a significant contribution to the abolition of slavery, the rallying of peoples, the promotion of peace and the reduction of the number of armies. The testament of Alfred Nobel contained his special desire. He pointed out that the reward should be given to a person regardless of his nationality. That is, the main criterion should be achievement, and not belonging to any country.

Women

Of course, the personality of this man aroused great interest among his contemporaries. And if everyone knew about his entrepreneurial and scientific activities, then the intimate side was carefully hidden from outsiders. It is not even possible to establish from existing sources whether Alfred Nobel was married. The personal life of this man, however, took place. His first love was Anna Desri. She was the daughter of a druggist. There is evidence that Nobel even wanted to get married. There are two versions explaining the reasons that the marriage did not take place. According to one of them, Anna fell ill and died. According to another, she started an affair with a certain Lemarge, a mathematician. According to rumors, this was the reason for the absence of achievements in this discipline in the premium set. Another woman to whom the scientist had tender feelings is Sarah Bernhardt. Nobel saw her at the play and fell in love. Another woman who captivated Nobel is Sophie Hess. She was only 20. She worked in a flower shop. This novel might not have been known if Hess had not made a claim to the inheritance after Nobel's death. According to sources, she was on his content for 19 years. Hess introduced herself to her neighbors as Madame Nobel. However, the relationship was not officially registered. In 1876, Nobel met Bertha Kinsky. They could well have become engaged, but for unknown reasons this did not happen. It is known that it was Bertha who inspired Nobel to establish the prize. It is worth saying that they maintained a good relationship until the very last day of his life. Bertha Kinsky was among the first people to receive the Peace Prize. She actively participated in the cause of preserving humanity from the beginning of the Third World War.