Nobel
ALFRED BERNHARD, a ALFRED BERNHARD NOBEL geometry at the age of 26, became interested in explosives, and founded extensive engineering and shipbuilding works at St. Petersburg, Russia; in 1859 he left these in charge of his second son, Louis, and, with the rest of his family returned to Stockholm where he founded the Noble firm engaged in the manufacture of explosives. In 1863 Alfred took out a patent for the manufacture of an explosive composed of nitroglycerin and ordinary blasting powder, and in 1864 a second patent. In 1867 he invented dynamite; in 1876 gela- NOBEL PRIZES tinous nitroglycerin; in 1889 ballistite, which led the way to the invention of smokeless powder. The Nobel firm in 1886-1896 employed constantly 12,000 persons in the manufacture of dynamite alone, and in 25 years the firm never had a strike. Alfred invented also artificial gutta-percha; manufactured cannon, and, with his brother, Louis, developed the petroleum deposits at Baku, in the Caucasus. He subscribed half the sum for fitting out the ill-fated Andrée balloon expedition. He lived for a long time in Paris, but had a villa and laboratory at San Remo, Italy, where he died Dec. 10, 1896. rest, usually about