Alfred Nobel
The Merchant of Death
"My dynamite will sooner lead to peace than a thousand world conventions. As soon as men will find that in one instant whole armies can be utterly destroyed, they surely will abide by golden peace."
Invented dynamite and used his fortune to establish the Nobel Prizes to reward those who confer the greatest benefit on mankind.
Reading His Own Obituary
In 1888, Alfred Nobel's brother Ludvig died. A French newspaper, confusing the two, published an obituary for Alfred with the headline "The Merchant of Death is Dead". It described him as a man who "became rich by finding ways to kill more people faster than ever before."
The Mirror of Legacy
Horrified by this glimpse into how the world would remember him, Nobel became obsessed with rewriting his legacy. He did not want to be remembered as a monster of war.
The Will of Peace
In his final will, he secretly set aside the vast majority of his fortune to establish the Nobel Prizes. He specifically included a prize for Peace, a direct contradiction to the source of his wealth. The inventor of the most destructive force of his time became the patron of humanity's highest ideals.
Biografia
Alfred Nobel (1833–1896) was a Swedish chemist, engineer, inventor, businessman, and philanthropist. He held 355 different patents, dynamite being the most famous.
Eventi chiave
Birth
Born in Stockholm, Sweden.
Dynamite
Patents dynamite, amassing a massive fortune.
The Obituary
Reads mistakened obituary calling him the "Merchant of Death".
The Will
Signs his last will establishing the Nobel Prizes.
Death
Dies, leaving his fortune to humanity.
Progetti principali
Dynamite (1867): A safer, more stable explosive that revolutionized construction and warfare.
Nobel Prize (1895): Established by his will to honor those who benefit mankind.
Distinzioni
Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (1884): Elected member.
Uppsala University (1893): Honorary Doctorate.
Eredità
His name is now synonymous with peace and excellence, effectively burying the 'Merchant of Death' moniker he so feared.
La Fine
Died on December 10, 1896, in San Remo, Italy. His will came as a shock to his family and the world.
Eco del Muro
Sussurrando attraverso il tempo