Here’s a surprising fact: the same compound used to blow up rock and build railways also treats chest pain. That double life started with one chemist’s lab notebook in the mid-1800s.
In 1847 an Italian chemist named Ascanio Sobrero first made glycerol trinitrate, now commonly called nitroglycerin. He mixed glycerol with strong nitric and sulfuric acids and produced a highly reactive, oily liquid. Sobrero warned that it was dangerously unstable and should be handled with care. He didn’t imagine it would become a household name — or a medical tool.
A few decades later Alfred Nobel found a practical way to stabilize nitroglycerin. In 1867 Nobel soaked nitroglycerin into kieselguhr (a kind of diatomaceous earth) and patented dynamite. That made nitroglycerin useful for construction and mining because it was easier and safer to transport. Nobel’s factories and the new blasting caps to detonate the material turned a risky lab chemical into the cornerstone of modern explosives.
Even though nitroglycerin was famous for destruction, doctors explored its effect on blood vessels. In 1879 physician William Murrell reported that small doses relieved angina (chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart). We now know nitroglycerin works because it releases nitric oxide (NO) in the body, which relaxes blood vessels, lowers the heart’s workload, and eases chest pain. Today you’ll see it as sublingual tablets, sprays, or patches.
That medical use is specific and powerful: sublingual nitroglycerin works fast — often within minutes — so people with sudden angina can get quick relief. Topical patches give a steady dose for chronic symptoms. But there are important safety rules: don’t combine nitrates with PDE5 inhibitors like sildenafil (Viagra) — that can cause dangerous blood pressure drops. Also, continuous use can lead to tolerance, so doctors recommend dosing strategies or nitrate-free intervals.
On the safety and handling side, raw nitroglycerin is shock-sensitive and can detonate from impact or heat. That’s why Nobel’s stabilization method mattered and why modern manufacturing follows strict safety protocols. In healthcare, pharmaceutical nitroglycerin is formulated for controlled, safe dosing and is not the same risk as the explosive form used a century ago.
Quick timeline to remember: 1847 — Sobrero discovers nitroglycerin; 1867 — Nobel invents dynamite by stabilizing it; 1879 — Murrell introduces medical use for angina. That sequence explains why one compound sits at the crossroads of industry and medicine.
If you want to learn more, read historical accounts of Sobrero and Nobel, or check medical guides for nitroglycerin dosing and interactions. Knowing both sides — the explosive history and the life-saving role — gives you a clearer picture of why nitroglycerin matters today.
Alfred Nobel's legacy is truly impressive, as his invention of nitroglycerin revolutionized the field of explosives. He faced many challenges along the way, including the death of his brother, but his perseverance resulted in a safer and more effective explosive. Despite the military use of his inventions, Nobel's wish was to promote peace and advancements in science, which led to the creation of the Nobel Prize. His life is a testament to the power of innovation and the pursuit of knowledge. It's a reminder that, even in the face of adversity, one's work can leave a lasting impact on the world.
