History Daily – "The Genesis of the Nobel Prize"

Host: Lindsey Graham
Date: November 27, 2025
Produced by: Airship | Noiser | Wondery

Overview

In this episode of History Daily, Lindsey Graham journeys through the dramatic and poignant life of Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, and explores the personal tragedies and moral reckonings that led to the creation of the Nobel Prize. The story uncovers how Nobel's innovations were shadowed by guilt and how a significant friendship inspired his quest for a more meaningful legacy, culminating in the signing of his will on November 27, 1895.

1. Early Tragedy and Obsession with Invention

[00:00–04:41]

• Setting the Scene: The episode opens in 1864 at a Stockholm chemical plant, with 30-year-old Alfred Nobel nervously experimenting with nitroglycerin, a volatile and newly invented explosive.
• Family Tragedy: A sudden explosion rocks the plant—not from Alfred’s own experiment, but from another part of the facility. Alfred rushes out to find his brother dead beneath a collapsed beam.
  • Quote: “Lying underneath it is the lifeless body of his brother. His brother’s death won’t be enough to make Alfred Nobel give up on his quest to produce a stable, usable form of nitroglycerin.” — Lindsey Graham [02:11]
• Aftermath: Rather than deterring Alfred, this loss pushes him to intensify his efforts, setting the stage for future breakthroughs and hardships.

2. From Setback to Breakthrough: Inventing Dynamite

[04:41–11:16]

• Relocation and Resilience: With Swedish authorities banning explosives production after the fatal accident, Alfred seeks a new start in Germany, impressing local officials with safety innovations at his new remote plant—though mishaps persist.
• Relentless Experimentation: Alfred attempts to stabilize nitroglycerin with various materials to no avail, until a fortuitous discovery involving sand and algae leads to a breakthrough.
  • Discovery of Dynamite: “On a hunch, Alfred takes a sample... and tries combining it with nitroglycerin. The result is a paste that’s stable but retains its explosive power.” — Lindsey Graham [07:57]
• Rapid Success and Growing Unease: Dynamite revolutionizes industries worldwide but also becomes a deadly tool in warfare, deepening Alfred’s disappointment over its misuses and his own legacy.

3. The Transformative Friendship with Bertha von Suttner

[11:16–15:42]

• Loneliness and Search for Meaning: Amid depression and distrust, Alfred seeks companionship, ultimately interviewing Bertha Kinsky, an intelligent, principled Austrian governess.
  • First Meeting: “He’s impressed by her self-assured manner… she chides Alfred for the amount of sugar he’s adding to his coffee.” — Lindsey Graham [11:32]
• Intellectual Bond: Bertha’s probing questions and passion for pacifism invigorate Alfred, leading to vibrant discussions and a close friendship.
• Bittersweet Love: Alfred confesses his romantic feelings, but Bertha reveals her love for another. Despite heartbreak, they part warmly, with Alfred vowing to help her marry and keep their friendship alive.
  • Enduring Connection: “He has only one condition: That she writes to him often, and that they remain friends always.” — Lindsey Graham [13:37]
• Lasting Influence: Bertha introduces Alfred to pacifist ideas, and her novel Lay Down Your Arms profoundly affects his worldview, encouraging him to envision a more positive legacy.

4. The Nobel Will and the Birth of the Prize

[17:22–19:55]

• Facing the End: In 1895 in Paris, an ailing Alfred Nobel reflects on his life and achievements, realizing the need to shape how he will be remembered.
• Composing the Will: Alfred resolves to dedicate his vast fortune to honor scientists, writers, and those advancing peace. Inspired by Bertha, he adds the Peace Prize to his list of awards.
  • Quote: “Alfred writes that he wants his estate to fund a series of awards... then, thinking of his good friend Bertha von Suttner, Alfred adds one more award: a prize for the pursuit of world peace.” — Lindsey Graham [18:26]
• Legal Struggle and Legacy: Although his family contests the will, a protracted legal battle upholds Alfred’s vision. Five years after his death, the first Nobel Prizes are awarded.
• Emotional Full Circle: The fifth Nobel Peace Prize goes to Bertha von Suttner, Nobel’s old friend and inspiration.
  • Quote: “No award would have pleased Alfred Nobel more than the fifth recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, pacifist writer Bertha von Suttner. Because it was partly due to her friendship that Alfred bequeathed his fortune to establish the Nobel Prizes in the first place.” — Lindsey Graham [19:37]

5. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Innovation and Loss:
  • “His brother’s death won’t be enough to make Alfred give up on his quest…” — Lindsey Graham [02:11]
• On the Breakthrough of Dynamite:
  • “The result is a paste that’s stable but retains its explosive power.” — Lindsey Graham [07:57]
• On Friendship and Influence:
  • “They discuss the news of the day and Alfred marvels at how Berta pushes him into new ways of thinking…” — Lindsey Graham [13:11]
• On Legacy:
  • “No award would have pleased Alfred Nobel more than the fifth recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize…” — Lindsey Graham [19:37]

6. Timeline of Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-------------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00–04:41 | Nobel's experiments, brother’s death, motivation to persist | | 04:41–11:16 | Factory in Germany, invention of dynamite, moral conflict | | 11:16–15:42 | Meeting Bertha, friendship, pacifist influence | | 17:22–19:55 | Composing the Nobel will, legal battles, legacy fulfilled |

Conclusion

This episode richly illustrates how Alfred Nobel’s legacy was not only shaped by his scientific ingenuity, but also by personal loss, moral introspection, and a transformational friendship. The establishment of the Nobel Prizes on November 27, 1895, stands as both a product of innovation and a powerful act of conscience.

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