Dynamite, a powerful explosive made by stabilising nitroglycerin, was invented by which famous chemist and industrialist?

Introduction / Context:
Dynamite is a well known explosive that allowed large engineering projects such as tunnels, mines and canals to be completed more efficiently. It is based on nitroglycerin but made safer and more manageable through careful formulation. The invention of dynamite had a huge impact on construction and warfare. This question checks whether you know which chemist and industrialist invented dynamite, and it indirectly reminds you of the link between that person fortune and the Nobel Prizes.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The substance in question is dynamite, an explosive based on nitroglycerin.
• The inventor was a chemist and industrialist.
• The options list scientists and inventors from various unrelated fields.
• Only one of these names is universally associated with dynamite.

Concept / Approach:
Alfred Nobel, a Swedish chemist, invented dynamite by absorbing nitroglycerin into an inert substance to reduce the risk of accidental detonation. His wealth from explosives and related businesses later funded the Nobel Prizes. Jean-Antoine Nollet was an eighteenth century physicist, Joseph Nicéphore Niépce is known for early photography, and Ted Nelson is a pioneer of hypertext and information technology. None of these other individuals is associated with dynamite. By remembering the link between dynamite and the Nobel Prizes, you can quickly match the correct name in the options.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the key word dynamite, a commercial explosive made safer than raw nitroglycerin.Step 2: Recall that Alfred Nobel is the chemist who developed dynamite and later established the Nobel Prizes.Step 3: Scan the options and find Alfred Nobel listed as option B.Step 4: Recognise that Jean-Antoine Nollet is linked to electricity experiments, not explosives.Step 5: Recognise that Joseph Nicéphore Niépce contributed to early photography and that Ted Nelson worked on hypertext concepts.Step 6: Eliminate these unrelated names and select Alfred Nobel as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
Most general science and history books present a simple association: Alfred Nobel, dynamite and Nobel Prizes. Biographical notes about Nobel emphasise his explosives business and his later decision to fund prizes in peace, literature and science. The other names in the options appear in very different topics. This strong and consistent linkage confirms that Alfred Nobel is the correct answer for questions about dynamite invention.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Jean-Antoine Nollet studied electricity and fluid dynamics, not commercial explosives. Joseph Nicéphore Niépce is remembered for creating some of the earliest photographic images, making him important to the history of photography. Ted Nelson proposed hypertext systems and the Xanadu project in the field of computer science. None of these achievements involve the development of dynamite, so options A, C and D are incorrect for this question.

Common Pitfalls:
Some students may confuse dynamite with general gunpowder or explosives and think of earlier chemists or military figures. Others may not remember which Nobel is associated with what discovery and may hesitate. To avoid such problems, remember a simple phrase: Alfred Nobel invented dynamite and founded the Nobel Prizes. This single sentence connects all the important facts and allows you to respond quickly to similar MCQs in exams.

Final Answer:
Dynamite was invented by Alfred Nobel.