Nobel Day • December 10
Alfred Nobel was a Swedish inventor and businessman. He became known for creating dynamite, a powerful explosive first used in construction before the military later adopted it for warfare. This added controversy to his name.
In 1888, Nobel’s older brother Ludvig died in France. A French newspaper made a mistake and published an obituary for Alfred instead of Ludvig.
The obituary called Alfred Nobel “the merchant of death,” claiming he made his fortune by creating tools for killing. It surprised Nobel and made him think about how people might remember him.
A few years later, in 1895, Alfred Nobel wrote his final will. He directed most of his fortune to create a set of yearly awards for people who make important contributions to humanity. He personally chose the categories of physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and peace. These awards became the Nobel Prizes, meant to support discoveries and efforts that improve life and promote understanding between nations.
Alfred Nobel died in 1896, and the first Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1901.
The whole tradition began with one man deciding that his name should be linked to progress, learning, and peace rather than conflict.
⌨ ᴛʸᵖⁱⁿᵍ ᴏᵘᵗ ᵒᶠ ᵗʰᵉ ʙˡᵘᵉ ᵈᵃʳᵉᵐ ᵐᵘˢⁱᶜ ᵇˡᵒᵍ
Out this season on Bandcamp.
