Nobel's Blasting Powder

A little known fact is that Alfred Nobel, the Swede creator of the Nobel Prize, invented dynamite.

Is it ironic, then, that such an award associated with peace and betterment for humanity was initially funded by what has often been construed as a weapon?

Nobel never invented dynamite with the intention of it being a weapon. Dynamite allowed safer distribution of explosives to carve out tunnels, shell out reservoirs, and push away large chunks of land. The usage of dynamite as a weapon came later.

Prior to dynamite, humans had no means to safely harness the awesome powers of nitroglycerin. Many people died due to its instability. Dynamite helped solve the issue, but not without problems and regrets.

Nobel’s own dynamite factory happened to blow up, as did many others.

And, the final negative, whether Nobel wanted it to happen or not, his invention helped drive forth the R&D for military weapons.