Fun Facts

Alfred Nobel's Application For Patent

Inventor of Dynamite: Alfred Nobel is best known for inventing dynamite in 1867, which revolutionized construction and demolition industries.


Patents: He held 355 patents by the time of his death, covering a wide range of inventions and improvements.


Languages: Nobel was fluent in multiple languages, including Swedish, French, Russian, English, and German.


Early Interest in Literature: Nobel was an avid reader and writer of literature, particularly poetry and drama.


Family Tragedy: His younger brother Emil was killed in a nitroglycerin explosion at one of Nobel's factories.


Wealth from Oil: Part of his fortune came from the Nobel Brothers Oil Company, which his family established in Azerbaijan.


Unusual Will: Nobel's will, which established the Nobel Prizes, was handwritten and contained many amendments.


Peace Prize Inspiration: He was inspired to create the Nobel Peace Prize partly due to his friendship with pacifist Bertha von Suttner.


Epistaxis: Nobel suffered from chronic nosebleeds, a condition known as epistaxis.


Paris Residence: He spent much of his life in Paris, where he conducted many of his experiments.


Literary Aspirations: Nobel wrote several plays and poems, though they were not widely published during his lifetime.


Cosmopolitan Life: He lived in multiple countries, including Sweden, Russia, France, and Italy.


Philanthropy: Nobel donated significant sums to scientific and cultural institutions during his lifetime.


Dislike for Publicity: He was a very private person and disliked public attention.


Health Issues: He suffered from various health problems, including heart trouble, during the later years of his life.


Bofors: Nobel bought the Bofors ironworks, which he transformed into a major armaments manufacturer.


Eccentric Habits: He had some eccentric habits, such as eating dinner alone in a room lined with mirrors.


Legacy Misunderstood: An erroneous obituary titled "The Merchant of Death is Dead" was published while he was alive, leading him to rethink his legacy.


Love for Technology: Nobel had a lifelong passion for technology and innovation.


Final Resting Place: He is buried in Norra begravningsplatsen in Stockholm, Sweden.