Introduction
Technical breakthroughs originate from obstacles, such as labor-intensive cotton harvesting. However, advancement might have unforeseen impacts on society. Dynamite, invented by Alfred Nobel during the Industrial Revolution, transformed the globe but also had profound social, political, and economic repercussions. Nobel’s invention of dynamite led to the founding of the Nobel Prize.
Economic Efficiency and Consequences
By eliminating the need for labor-intensive hand-drilling, dynamite technology has greatly facilitated and reduced the expense of mineral extraction. The result was a boost in mining’s efficiency and output. The use of dynamite in battle, however, has severe economic repercussions, with immediate expenditures for war-torn countries and ongoing costs for reconstruction. Ethical considerations must be made, and the pros and cons of producing new technology must be carefully weighed before any action is taken.
The extremely explosive components of dynamite comprise nitroglycerine, a fibrous material, such as sawdust or clay, and a trace amount of sodium carbonate. The extremely flammable nitroglycerin caused so many mishaps that it gave scientists and businessmen nightmares for decades. As he continued with research, Alfred Nobel found a means to keep nitroglycerin from exploding (Aravinda, 2022).
For this, he used absorbent sand, which, when combined with nitroglycerin, would turn into a paste that could be kneaded and then wrapped in paper. It was now possible to mold dynamite into rods and insert them directly into boreholes. This explosive was convenient for travel and storage and grew to become a very useful economic tool.
The “Nobel’s Blasting Powder,” as it was known at the time of its 1867 patent, quickly became well-known and was put to use in a variety of contexts. He started the Dynamite Nobel firm in 1865 (Auzanneau, 2020). Afterward, he established manufacturing facilities in Scotland and Eastern Europe. Apart from its obvious use in the mining and quarrying industries, dynamite was also widely employed in demolishing huge constructions, excavating tunnels, and other similar tasks; of course, this hastened the rate of industrialization. One of the marvels of dynamite is how it has allowed for the advancement of transportation systems by allowing them to traverse previously impassable terrain.
Social and Geopolitical Impacts
This established a system of trading routes that allowed for more transport activities. The world’s regions with the slowest rates of social mobility eventually gave rise to new social classes. New settlements appeared, and people moved around more often. The military also started using dynamite more often. Wars of the late nineteenth century saw the deployment of dynamite cannons.
For illustration purposes, consider the Spanish-American War that was offset by Cuba’s struggle for independence (Khan Academy, n.d.). In the trenches at Santiago, Teddy Roosevelt’s “Rough Riders” heavily relied on the cannons (Nath, 2019). As a result, dynamite had a crucial role in influencing the political climate of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
I do not think the tradeoffs from my examples were justified. This is because many people lost their jobs when dynamites were employed instead of using human labor to break down rocks and mines. The use of explosives also brought on air pollution that is destructive to the environment. Several lives were lost as a result of its employment in battle. A major flaw with this technology was the enslavement of several people (Jaramillo, 2020).
These developments also led to the development of the modern grenade launcher. Alfred Nobel felt guilty about the unpleasant side effects of his discovery. He stipulated in his will that his fortune be given to a trust that would provide prizes to those who improve the human condition. Nowadays, dynamite, one of the revolutionary discoveries, is still used for blasting rock, mining, building, and demolishing structures.
Conclusion
Dynamite technology makes manual drilling for minerals obsolete and reduces costs. Nonetheless, the frequent use of dynamite in battles resulted in economic implications, such as the cost of rebuilding. When opting to explore technology, we must take into account both its potential advantages and its potential ethical drawbacks.
References
Aravinda, h. (2022). The effect of iron ore mining on environment & its regulation in India. Nitya Publications.
Auzanneau, M. (2020). Oil, power, and War: a dark history. Chelsea Green Publishing.
Jaramillo, P. (2020). Mining leftovers: Making futures on the margins of capitalism. Cultural Anthropology, 35(1), 48-73. Web.
Khan Academy (n.d.). Khan Academy. Web.
Nath, N. (2019). The Consumer Revolution: Tipping the Balance of Power. Sage Publications Pvt. Limited.