November 2, 2009
-
The Nobel Peace Prize Was Started Because Of A Guilty Conscience
Most people don't realize this. Alfred Nobel patented dynamite, and years later, he was overcome with guilt because of the war-time use of dynamite and other explosives as weapons, causing many deaths. I have known this for a long time, but because it is a topic being currently discussed, I include below an excerpt from an article on Nobel, and a link to that article.
Nitroglycerin and Dynamite
Nitroglycerin was first invented by Italian chemist Ascanio Sobrero in 1846. In its natural liquid state, nitroglycerin is very volatile. Albert Nobel understood this and in 1866 he discovered that mixing nitroglycerine with silica would turn the liquid into a malleable paste, called dynamite. One advantage of dynamite over nitroglycerin was that it could be cylinder-shaped for insertion into the drilling holes used for mining.
Patenting of Dynamite
In 1867, Nobel received U.S. patent number 78,317 for his dynamite. To be able to detonate the dynamite rods, Nobel also improved his detonator (blasting cap) so that it could be ignited by lighting a fuse.
In 1875, Nobel invented blasting gelatine in Paris and patented it in 1876. In 1887, he was granted a French patent for blasting powder "ballistite".
Read the article in its entirety here:
Dynamite - Alfred Nobel and the History of Dynamite
I will not debate here whether Barack Obama "deserved" the Nobel Peace Prize. I personally don't think he did, but he acknowledged in his speech after receiving the news that he himself does not feel he deserved it, but that he will accept it, and consider it a "call to action" to inspire good works in the future. That is a classy and gracious way to look at it, and as a frequent critic of President Obama, I give credit to him for that.
Comments (15)
Interesting. I wasn't aware of that.
I agree. He gave a classy answer to what even I (rabid liberal that I am
) can say he didn't truly and completely deserve.
There also is no Nobel Prize in math because Nobel's wife cheated on him with a mathematician.
I would also give props to Governor Pawlenty, who may be the opponent of President Obama in 2012, for saying that the appropriate response would be to "say Congratulations."
I read the best commentary today explaining why Obama was the most natural pick for the Nobel peace prize. You can read it here. I have to say, it makes sense to me.
@scrambledmegsntoast - Absolutely right!
@phantomFive - Can't read it now, but I will later. Thanks!
I hardly think Obama lives up to the standard of Mr. Nobel.
i don't think he deserved it either, but i don't really care.
I agree with you that he didn't deserve it right now. And I never knew about him saying that..I do give him credit for that. But, then he seems to be all words and no action it seems(I could be wrong so no lashing out at me) so I am wondering if those are just a bunch of words to please the people for the moment.
This is very interesting! I like your take on this.
Interesting wasn't aware of that. Not even sure why Obama got the Nobel Peace Prize he hasn't really done anything.
Yup, I knew that too. It's hard to argue with your assessment of Mr. Obama's acceptance of the prize, but I still find his having been given the award an affront (although certainly not the first) to many who have received it deservingly, as well as an affront to the prestige of the award itself. It strikes me very much as being somewhat analogous to awarding a medal to an olympic athlete before the event begins in an effort to encourage him to do well.
i never knew that...that's very interesting. thanks for the info
I didn't know this about Nobel. Very interesting. As for Obama, no he did not deserve such an honor. Classy and gracious or not, being granted such an honor was not something he earned or deserve. It may well be something he'll soon regret, if he hasn't already. Only time will tell I suppose...
No comment...
I don't think there are many who can say that he seemed deserving of the award at this point. I do believe that by the end of his term(s) he will have lived up to the award tho.