The Nobel Prizes, established by the will of Alfred Nobel in 1895, have become synonymous with excellence in various fields, including physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, and peace. Over the years, the prizes have evolved to include the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences, introduced in 1969. Each year, the Nobel Foundation oversees a rigorous selection process to ensure that the most deserving recipients are honored. Let us now delve into the story of how nobel prizes came into being.
In 2024, the Nobel Prizes were awarded in several categories, recognizing significant contributions to science and literature. The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine went to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun for their groundbreaking discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation. In Physics, John J. Hopfield and Geoffrey E. Hinton were honored for their work utilizing statistical physics concepts in the development of artificial neural networks.
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John M. Jumper for their contributions to protein science, specifically computational protein design and protein structure prediction. Additionally, the Nobel Prize in Literature was awarded to Han Kang, the first South Korean laureate, for her intense poetic prose addressing historical traumas. The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the Japanese anti-nuclear group Nihon Hidankyo, recognizing their grassroots movement against nuclear weapons. Having briefly understood about the Nobel laureates of this year, let us now try and understand the history of Nobel Prizes and how they came into being.
Early Life and Education of Alfred Nobel
Alfred Nobel was born in 1833 into a family of engineers. His father, Immanuel Nobel, was an inventor who built bridges and experimented with explosives. However, the family’s fortunes fluctuated; after facing bankruptcy in Sweden, they relocated to St. Petersburg, Russia. Despite his father’s wishes for him to pursue engineering, Alfred was captivated by literature and poetry. His mother encouraged his literary pursuits, fostering a love for writing that would stay with him throughout his life.
Nobel’s academic journey took him across Europe. He studied chemistry in Paris under the renowned chemist T.J. Pelouze, where he encountered nitroglycerin—a volatile liquid explosive invented by Ascanio Sobrero. This discovery would become pivotal in his life, leading him down a path that would ultimately earn him fortune and infamy.
The Invention of Dynamite
In 1864, an explosion at his nitroglycerin factory killed several workers, including his younger brother Emil. This incident deeply affected Nobel; he felt responsible for the loss of life and began to obsess over finding safer ways to handle explosives. After years of experimentation, he developed dynamite in 1867 by stabilizing nitroglycerin with an absorbent substance called kieselguhr. This invention revolutionized the construction and mining industries but also contributed to warfare.
Despite his success as an inventor—holding over 350 patents—Nobel grappled with the moral implications of his creations.
The Turning Point: The Erroneous Obituary
A turning point came in 1888 when Alfred’s brother Ludvig died while visiting Cannes. A French newspaper mistakenly published an obituary for Alfred instead of Ludvig, labeling him “the merchant of death” and condemning him for profiting from inventions that facilitated killing. The obituary stated:
“Dr. Alfred Nobel, who became rich by finding ways to kill more people faster than ever before, died yesterday.”
Reading about himself in such disparaging terms, he realized how he would be remembered after his death. The incident ignited a desire within him to leave behind a legacy that celebrated peace rather than destruction.
The Birth of the Nobel Prizes
In response to this existential crisis, Nobel began drafting his will in 1893. He decided to allocate the majority of his fortune—approximately 35 million Swedish kronor—to establish the Nobel Prizes. These awards were designed to honor individuals who had conferred the most significant benefit on humanity in five categories: Physics, Chemistry, Medicine or Physiology, Literature, and Peace. Nobel’s will explicitly stated that no consideration should be given to nationality; rather, the most deserving candidates should receive recognition regardless of their background.
On November 27, 1895, at a private club in Paris, he signed his last testament—a document that would change the course of history.
Legacy and First Awards
Alfred Nobel passed away on December 10, 1896, from a stroke in San Remo, Italy. His will faced challenges from relatives and authorities who questioned its validity; however, after four years of legal battles, the first Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1901.
The inaugural ceremonies were held in Stockholm for all categories except for Peace, which took place in Oslo. The first recipients included Wilhelm Röntgen for Physics and Emil von Behring for Medicine—individuals whose contributions greatly advanced human knowledge and welfare.
Anecdotes That Shaped His Character
Throughout his life, Alfred Nobel was known not only for his scientific prowess but also for his complex personality. He maintained relationships with various intellectuals and activists who influenced his views on peace and society. One notable figure was Bertha von Suttner, an Austrian pacifist who became a close friend and confidante. She inspired him with her passionate advocacy for disarmament and peace efforts. Their correspondence revealed a man torn between industrial legacy and a yearning for societal betterment.
In one poignant letter to von Suttner, he expressed:
“I am not sure whether I am doing good or evil… I have built up my fortune through inventions that have caused suffering.”
This internal conflict remained with him until his death; it fueled his determination to ensure that future generations would remember him not just as an inventor, but also as a benefactor of humanity.