Dynamite Invention and Usage Timeline

By austin1ane

  • Alfred Nobel begins to experiment with nitroglycerin

  • Nobel invents detonator

    The first nitroglycerin detonator is made for nitroglycerin. It sets off the explosion with a shockwave.

  • Dynamite is invented

    Nobel combined nitroglycerin with kieselguhr to create dynamite

  • Invention of the electric detonator

    Julius Smith invents the electric detonator for dynamite.

  • Modern detonator is invented

    The detonator that you see Wiley Coyote push down on in cartoons is invented

  • First recorded use of dynamite in demolition of a structure

  • Ammonium Nitrate is added to dynamite to make it safer

  • Dynamite used to clear debris

  • Dynamite used in tunnel destruction attempt

    People attempted to ram two trains filled with dynamite into each other to destroy a tunnel.

  • Dynamite used in construction of Panama Canal

  • Detonating fuse arrives in United States

  • Wall Street attacked with dynamite

    Dynamite is set off with shrapnel in a buggy at Wall Street. The blast killed 30 people and injured hundreds more.

  • Dynamite used in construction of Mt. Rushmore

  • 95% of all explosives in America are dynamite

  • Number of dynamite factories in America becomes a staggering 39

  • Only a single dynamite factory remains in operation in America

  • Less than 2% of explosives in the US are considered dynamite