Dynamite is an explosive made of nitroglycerin, sorbents (such as powdered shells or clay) and

stabilizers. It was invented by the Swedish chemist and engineer Alfred Nobel in Geesthacht,
and patented in 1867. It rapidly gained wide-scale use as a safer alternative to black powder.
Today dynamite is mainly used in the mining, quarrying, construction, and demolition industries.
Dynamite is still the product of choice for trenching applications, and as a cost-effective
alternative to cast boosters. Dynamite is occasionally used as an initiator or booster for AN and
ANFO explosive charges.