Nobel, Alfred

Alfred Bernhard Nobel was born on October 21 in 1833. He was a Swedish chemist, inventor, engineer and businessman. He is known for inventing dynamite as well as having bequeathed his fortune to establish the Nobel Prizes. He also made several important contributions to science, holding 355 patents in his lifetime.

A member of the prominent Nobel family, Alfred Bernhard Nobel displayed an early aptitude for science and learning, particularly in chemistry and languages. Nobel knew six languages and filed his first patent at the age of 24.

Nobel's most famous invention, dynamite, was an explosive using nitroglycerin that was patented in 1867. He further invented gelignite in 1875 and ballistite in 1887.

Upon his death, Nobel donated his fortune to a foundation to fund Nobel Prizes, which annually recognize those who "conferred the greatest benefit to humankind". The synthetic element nobelium was named after Alfred Nobel, and his name and legacy also survive in companies such as Dynamit Nobel and AkzoNobel, which descend from mergers with companies he founded.

Nobel was elected a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences which pursuant to his will would be responsible for choosing the Nobel laureates in physics and in chemistry.

Alfred Bernhard Nobel died on December 10 in 1896 and the age of 63.

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