Alfred Nobel: The Man Behind the IELTS Reading

Alfred Nobel was a Swedish inventor, chemist, and engineer who is best known for inventing dynamite, a more stable and controllable form of nitroglycerine. However, few people know about his early life, interests, and experiences that shaped him into the person he became.

Born in Stockholm on October 21, 1833, Alfred Nobel was sent abroad by his father at a young age to further his education in chemical engineering. During this time, he developed a strong foundation in natural sciences, languages, and literature. He became fluent in several languages, including Swedish, Russian, French, English, and German.

Nobel's primary interests were in English literature and poetry as well as chemistry and physics. He was an introverted person who preferred to spend his free time reading and writing rather than socializing with others. His father, Immanuel Nobel, was a successful engineer and inventor who built bridges and buildings in Stockholm. However, he did not approve of Alfred's interest in poetry and wanted him to join the family business as an engineer.

In 1863, after returning to Sweden from his travels, Nobel concentrated on developing nitroglycerine as an explosive. He met Ascanio Sobrero, a young Italian chemist who had invented nitroglycerine three years earlier. Despite its high explosive power, nitroglycerine was considered too dangerous to be used in construction work due to its unpredictable behavior when subjected to heat and pressure.

Nobel spent the next two years working on a method for controlled detonation of nitroglycerine. He traveled extensively during this period, visiting Sweden, Germany, France, and the United States. His experiences and knowledge gained from these travels helped him to develop a more stable and controllable form of nitroglycerine, which he eventually patented as dynamite.

In 1895, Nobel wrote his last will, leaving much of his wealth to establish the Nobel Prize. The foundations for this prize were laid in recognition of outstanding achievements in physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and peace. Since 1901, the Nobel Prize has been honoring men and women from around the world who have made significant contributions in these fields.

In conclusion, Alfred Nobel was a complex individual with diverse interests and experiences that shaped him into the person he became. His life's work, including the invention of dynamite and his legacy through the Nobel Prize, continues to inspire and recognize excellence in various fields today.

Alfred nobel ielts reading