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DynamiteFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaJump to: navigation, searchThis article is about the high explosive. For other uses, see Dynamite (disambiguation).Diagram of dynamite.Sawdust (or any other type of absorbent material) soaked in nitroglycerin.Protective coating surrounding the explosive material.Blasting cap.Electrical cable (or fuse) connected to the blasting cap.Preparation of dynamite during the construction of the Douglas Dam, 1942.Dynamite is an explosive material based on nitroglycerin, using diatomaceous earth (AmE: kieselgur; BrE: kieselguhr), or another absorbent substance such as powdered shells, clay, sawdust, or wood pulp. Dynamites using organic materials such as sawdust are less stable and such use has been generally discontinued. Dynamite was invented by the Swedish chemist and engineer Alfred Nobel in Geesthacht, Germany, and patentedin 1867. Its name was coined by Nobel from the Ancient Greek word δ?ναμι?dynamis, meaning power.[1][2]Dynamite is a high explosive, which means its power comes from detonation rather than deflagration. Dynamite is mainly used in the mining, quarrying, construction, and demolition industries, and it has had some historical usage in warfare. However the unstable nature of nitroglycerin, especially if subjected to freezing, has rendered it obsolete for military uses. Public familiarity with dynamite led to metaphoric uses, such as saying that a particular issue is political dynamite.Contents?[hide]?1 Description2 History and manufacture2.1 South Africa2.2 United States3 Difference from TNT4 See also5 References5.1 Notes5.2 Sources6 External links[edit] DescriptionClassic dynamite consists of three parts nitroglycerin, one part diatomaceous earth and a small admixture of sodium carbonate. This mixture is formed into short sticks and wrapped in paper. Nitroglycerin by itself is a very strong explosive, and in its pure form it is extremely shock-sensitive (that is, physical shock can cause it to explode), and degrad