Dynamite

This article is about the high explosive. For other uses, see Dynamite (disambiguation).

Dynamite
Preparation of dynamite during the construction of the Douglas Dam, 1942
ClassificationExplosive
IndustryVarious
ApplicationExplosion
InventorAlfred Nobel
Invented1866 (158 years ago) (1866)
Diagram
  1. Diatomaceous earth (or any other type of absorbent material) soaked in nitroglycerin.
  2. Protective coating surrounding the explosive material.
  3. Blasting cap.
  4. Electrical cable (or fuse) connected to the blasting cap.

Dynamite is an explosive made of nitroglycerin, sorbents (such as powdered shells or clay), and stabilizers.[1] It was invented by the Swedish chemist and engineer Alfred Nobel in Geesthacht, Northern Germany, and was patented in 1867. It rapidly gained wide-scale use as a more robust alternative to the traditional black powder explosives. It allows the use of nitroglycerine's favorable explosive properties while greatly reducing its risk of accidental detonation.

  1. ^ Liepens, R. (1974). "Characteristics of Non-Military Explosives" (PDF). Defense Technical Information Center. Research Triangle Institute, National Technical Information Service, U.S. Department of Commerce. Retrieved 5 December 2023.