Ascanio Sobrero (1812–1888), Alfred Nobel (1833–1896)
Ascanio Sobrero, a chemistry professor at the University of Turin, first prepared nitroglycerin in 1847. He observed that the liquid was extremely dangerous to handle because of its explosive properties and that inhalation caused an intense, throbbing headache. Over the next three decades, the future of nitroglycerin took two significant, divergent paths—one medical, and the other for construction and armaments.
A number of British physicians observed that nitroglycerin rapidly terminated the intense chest pain of angina, and, following the publication of a systematic study in 1879, the drug was adopted for routine medical use. Prepared in sublingual tablets, it reliably relieves the crushing chest pain within one to two minutes of being placed under the tongue. To this day, nitroglycerin (medically renamed glyceryl trinitrate to dissociate itself from the explosive) and related nitrates are used to prevent and treat angina.
Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel, also at the University of Turin, found that when nitroglycerin was mixed with inert ingredients, it could be handled more safely. In 1867, he patented this mixture Dynamite, which, with its subsequent improvements and variations, was widely adopted in construction, mining, and armament industries.
Rapid development of tolerance is an issue with nitroglycerin. When used on a regular basis for angina, it becomes less effective, but side effects also become less intense. For industrial workers using nitroglycerin in the manufacture of explosives, the development of tolerance is fortunate. During their first days of employment, new workers often experience severe headaches and a drop in blood pressure. Tolerance is rapidly acquired but also rapidly lost if the worker is away from the job for even a few days, so, to prevent this loss, workers rub nitrates on their clothing.
Likely feeling guilty that his products were responsible for widespread death and destruction, upon Nobel’s death, he established prizes in his name, which were to be awarded annually, beginning in 1901, for the “greatest benefit on mankind” in chemistry, physics, the medical sciences, literature, and peace.
SEE ALSO Propranolol (1964).
Alfred Nobel made his fortune by mixing the highly explosive nitroglycerin with inert ingredients, molding this safer-to-handle mixture into short sticks and wrapping it in paper—a patented product he called Dynamite. This poster (c. 1895), an advertisement for the Aetna Dynamite Company of New York, was drawn by Edward Penfield (1866–1925), the leading American illustrator of the era and the “Father of the American Poster.”