The Man Behind The Explosion

Alfred Nobel wasn’t always associated with peace. In fact, he was better known for his invention of dynamite — a powerful tool that revolutionized construction, mining, and yes, warfare.

Born in 1833, Nobel was a brilliant Swedish chemist, engineer, and inventor. Throughout his life, he held over 350 patents, but dynamite was by far the most famous — and the most controversial.

While he saw it as a force for progress, many began to see Nobel as a man who had made destruction more efficient. And in 1888, that perception came crashing down on him in the most unexpected way.

The Obituary That Changed History

In 1888, Alfred Nobel’s brother Ludvig passed away. But a French newspaper, mistakenly thinking Alfred had died, published a premature obituary titled:

“The Merchant of Death is Dead.”

The article condemned Nobel for profiting from explosives and portrayed him as a villain whose legacy was one of violence and death.

Imagine reading that… about yourself.

It shook Nobel to his core. For the first time, he was forced to face how the world might truly remember him — not as a scientist, but as a symbol of destruction.

The Will That Sparked A Legacy

Determined to change the narrative, Nobel spent the next years quietly crafting a different kind of legacy.

In 1895, just a year before his death, he signed a will that shocked his family and the world:

He left the majority of his fortune — over 90% — to establish a set of prizes that would be awarded to people who bring the “greatest benefit to humankind.”

His will named five areas of contribution:

• Physics
• Chemistry
• Medicine
• Literature
• Peace

A Prize For World-Changers

Since 1901, the Nobel Prizes have become the world’s most prestigious honours — celebrating scientists, writers, activists, and leaders who push humanity forward.

Winners have included:

• Marie Curie, for her work on radioactivity
• Martin Luther King Jr., for civil rights and peace
• Malala Yousafzai, for fighting for girls’ education
• Albert Einstein, for his revolutionary theories in physics

The list goes on — a who’s who of humanity’s most brilliant minds and bravest hearts.

What Can We Learn From Alfred Nobel?

Alfred Nobel’s story is not just about prizes.

It’s about reflection, redemption, and the power of legacy.

He saw how the world misunderstood his impact — and instead of defending his past, he reimagined his future.

He chose to turn his invention of destruction into a platform for discovery, progress, and peace.

 Still Curious?

So, how was the Nobel Prize born?

Not from celebration, but from a moment of doubt — a misprinted obituary that forced one man to ask a powerful question:

“How will the world remember me?”

That question, and the bold action that followed, gave birth to a tradition that still shapes our world today.