by Nils Ringertz* Alfred Nobel was born in Stockholm on October
21, 1833. His father Immanuel Nobel was an engineer and inventor
who built bridges and buildings in Stockholm. In connection with
his construction work Immanuel Nobel also experimented with
different techniques for blasting rocks. Alfred's mother, born
Andriette Ahlsell, came from a wealthy family. Due to
misfortunes in his construction work caused by the loss of some
barges of building material, Immanuel Nobel was forced into
bankruptcy the same year Alfred Nobel was born. In 1837 Immanuel
Nobel left Stockholm and his family to start a new career in
Finland and in Russia. To support the family, Andriette Nobel
started a grocery store which provided a modest income.
Meanwhile Immanuel Nobel was successful in his new enterprise in
St. Petersburg, Russia. He started a mechanical workshop which
provided equipment for the Russian army and he also convinced
the Tsar and his generals that naval mines could be used to
block enemy naval ships from threat