Explosives are explosives made from nitroglycerin, adsorbents (such as powdered shells or clay) and stabilizers. It was invented by the Swedish chemist and engineer Alfred Nobel at Gistacht and patented in 1867. As a safe alternative to gunpowder and nitroglycerin, it quickly gained widespread application.
Invented by Alfred Nobel, explosives were the first safely controllable explosives stronger than black powder. Nobel was granted a patent for an invention in the United Kingdom on May 7, 1867, and in Sweden on October 19, 1867. After its introduction, explosives quickly became widely used as a safe alternative to black powder and nitroglycerin. Nobel strictly controlled patents, and unauthorized copying companies were soon shut down. However, some U.S. merchants circumvent patents by using a slightly different formulation.
Nobel initially sold explosives as "Nobel's explosive powder", but decided to change the name to explosives.
Alfred Nobel's father, Emmanuel Noble, was an industrialist, engineer and inventor who built bridges and buildings in Stockholm. His architectural work inspired him to study new ways of blasting rock. Emanuel's later work on explosives inspired Alfred to make explosives safer and more effective. Today, explosives are mainly used in the mining, quarrying, construction and blasting industries. Explosives remain the product of choice for trenching applications and a cost-effective alternative to throw boosters. Explosives are sometimes used as detonators or explosive aids for ammonium oil explosives and ANFO explosives.