dynamite

dynamite
Name	Dynamite
Caption	Sticks of dynamite
Type	High explosive
Used by	Alfred Nobel
Filling	Nitroglycerin, diatomaceous earth
Detonation	Blasting cap

dynamite. Dynamite is a high explosive invented in the 1860s by the Swedish chemist and engineer Alfred Nobel. It revolutionized mining, quarrying, and construction by providing a much safer and more manageable form of nitroglycerin. The invention brought Nobel immense fortune, which later funded the establishment of the Nobel Prize.

History

The invention was driven by the extreme instability of liquid nitroglycerin, which caused numerous deadly accidents during its handling and transport. After his younger brother Emil Oskar Nobel was killed in a nitroglycerin explosion at their family's factory in Heleneborg, Alfred Nobel sought a safer alternative. His breakthrough came in 1866 in Krümmel when he discovered that kieselguhr (diatomaceous earth) could absorb nitroglycerin to form a stable paste. He patented this mixture as "dynamite" in 1867 in Sweden and later in the United Kingdom and the United States. The Nobel's Explosives Company was formed to manufacture it, facing early competition from companies like the Giant Powder Company in San Francisco. Its use was widespread in major projects like the Hoosac Tunnel, the Gotthard Tunnel, and the Panama Canal.

Composition and properties

Classic dynamite, known as "straight dynamite," consists of three parts: liquid nitroglycerin, an absorbent inert filler like diatomaceous earth (kieselguhr), and a small amount of sodium carbonate as a stabilizer. This composition typically results in a material that is about 75% nitroglycerin by weight. Later formulations, such as "ammonia dynamite" or "extra dynamite," replaced part of the nitroglycerin with less sensitive explosives like ammonium nitrate and added combustibles like wood pulp or sawdust. These variants, along with gelignite (a gelatinous form), offered different properties like water resistance and reduced fumes. Dynamite is sensitive to shock and friction in its pure form but is reliably initiated by a blasting cap.

Manufacturing process

The original manufacturing process involved carefully mixing liquid nitroglycerin with the porous diatomaceous earth in a controlled environment. The nitroglycerin itself was first produced by the nitration of glycerol using a mixture of sulfuric acid and nitric acid, a dangerous procedure. The mixed paste was then pressed into paper cartridges. Over time, the process evolved with improved safety protocols and the development of automated mixing plants. Major manufacturers included the DuPont company in the United States and Nobel Industries in Europe. The production was notoriously hazardous, with factories often located in remote areas like the California coast or near Lüneburg Heath in Germany.

Uses and applications

Dynamite's primary use was in civil engineering and resource extraction. It was instrumental in the construction of railroads like the First Transcontinental Railroad, tunnels like the Simplon Tunnel, and canals like the Kiel Canal. In mining, it replaced black powder for blasting ore in locations from the Comstock Lode to the Witwatersrand. It was also used in quarrying for dimension stone and aggregate. Beyond industrial applications, it saw limited and controversial use in warfare, such as in the Battle of the Crater during the American Civil War and in early torpedoes. Its use in demolition and seismic exploration for the petroleum industry were also significant.

Safety and handling

Despite being safer than liquid nitroglycerin, dynamite remains a hazardous material. It can "sweat" or exude nitroglycerin if old or stored improperly, becoming dangerously sensitive. It is also susceptible to deterioration from freezing, which can alter its performance. Proper storage requires cool, dry conditions, often in specialized magazines. Transportation is heavily regulated, historically involving special railroad cars. Accidents, such as the 1904 Baltimore fire which involved a ship carrying dynamite, highlighted these risks. Safe handling procedures mandate the use of blasting caps for initiation and strict control of the blast area, practices now governed by agencies like the Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Cultural impact

Dynamite has had a profound cultural presence, symbolizing both industrial progress and destructive power. Alfred Nobel's invention directly led to the creation of the Nobel Prize, as his will used his dynamite fortune to fund the awards. In popular culture, it is a staple in Looney Tunes cartoons, often associated with characters like Wile E. Coyote. The phrase "light the fuse" or "dynamic" entered slang to describe something exciting or volatile. It features in films like Goldfinger and songs like Mötley Crüe's "Kickstart My Heart." The material also has a legacy in labor history, being used in conflicts such as the Colorado Labor Wars and the Everett massacre.

Category:Explosives Category:Swedish inventions Category:Alfred Nobel