Dynamit

Dynamit, commonly known in English as dynamite, is an explosive material developed in the 1860s by Swedish chemist and industrialist Alfred Nobel. The key innovation was to stabilize nitroglycerin by absorbing it into an inert porous substance, typically diatomaceous earth (kieselguhr). The resulting product is far less sensitive to shock and handling than nitroglycerin itself, making large-scale blasting more practical.

Classic dynamite consists of a nitroglycerin–absorbent mixture formed into pliable sticks, usually packaged with a detonator and protective wrapping. The term covers a family of formulations rather than a single recipe; over time other absorbent materials and additives were used to adjust performance and safety.

Nobel patented the process in 1867. The invention transformed blasting in mining, quarrying, and construction, enabling greater scale and efficiency. Nobel’s fortune from dynamite helped fund the Nobel Prizes, a notable historical outcome associated with the invention.

In the later 20th century, more stable and safer explosive systems, such as ammonium nitrate–fuel oil (ANFO) and emulsion explosives, largely replaced dynamite for many applications, especially large-scale blasting. Dynamite remains in use in some niche applications and in older equipment, but its handling is subject to strict safety and regulatory controls.

Because dynamite contains nitroglycerin, it is highly regulated. Storage and transport require licensing, secure facilities, and adherence to safety standards; improper storage can lead to hazardous decomposition or detonation. See also nitroglycerin, diatomaceous earth, detonators, and Alfred Nobel.