logo
episode-header-image
May 2019
44m 48s

Alfred Bernhard Nobel

SPOTIFY STUDIOS
About this episode
The prize most coveted by the best and brightest minds in society owes its name to one man: Alfred Nobel. This Swedish inventor born in 1833, has a complicated history after battling through childhood poverty in which only three of his seven siblings reached adulthood.  Parcasters - We're tackling one of the most famous couples in history this week on Crimes ... Show More
Up next
May 2019
Max Planck
As one of the earliest pioneers in the field of quantum physics in the late 19th century, Max Planck would work with his protege, Albert Einstein, to redefine an entire field of science... just as Germany was falling under the iron fist of the Nazi Regime. Sponsors! The Farmer’s ... Show More
55m 36s
Jun 2019
Wangarĩ Muta Maathai
Born in 1940 in British-occupied Kenya, Wangarĩ Muta Maathai learned at a young age how the environment and poverty were inextricably linked. As one of Africa's first women to obtain a PhD, she dedicated over forty years of her adult life fighting to teach the people of Kenya abo ... Show More
48m 56s
Jun 2019
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Bach never knew it during his lifetime, but he revolutionized classical music. Centuries after his death in 1750, Bach is known as one of the main fathers of classical composition. Sponsors! Gabi - Take TWO MINUTES and Go to Gabi.com/HISTORICAL to see if you can save up to ... Show More
45m 26s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2025
#563 | The Curious Origins of The Nobel Prize
Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, was shocked to read his own obituary branding him the "merchant of death." While the story might not be entirely true, it pushed him to reconsider his legacy. His fortune went on to establish the Nobel Prizes, honouring achievements in phys ... Show More
23m 19s
Jan 2021
#163 Alfred Nobel
What I learned from reading Alfred Nobel: A Biography by Kenne Fant. ---- [16:24] The self-awareness that would become so characteristic of him was awakening and with it the determination to be the master of every situation. He was not going to throw himself into the world and le ... Show More
1h 1m
Oct 2025
Bonus episode from English Learning for Curious Minds: The Curious Origins of the Nobel Prize
This is an episode of the podcast English Learning for Curious Minds. If you enjoy this episode you can find English Learning for Curious Minds in your podcast app, or at leonardoenglish.comTranscript / Study pack : https://bit.ly/474GafO-------------------Alfred Nobel, the inven ... Show More
22m 44s
Feb 2022
How the Nobel Peace Prize Works
The Nobel Peace Prize is perhaps the most prestigious award in the world, yet there are plenty of other similar awards. What is it about this one that makes it so honored? And how did the guy who invented dynamite end up creating a peace award? Learn more about your ad-choices at ... Show More
50m 29s
Aug 2024
#359 The Russian Rockefellers: The Nobel Family Dynasty
The name of Nobel usually calls to mind Alfred Nobel, inventor of dynamite, and the internationally prestigious prizes that bear his name. But Alfred was only one member of a creative and innovative family who built an industrial empire in prerevolutionary Russia. The saga begins ... Show More
1h 6m
Oct 2025
A Time for Celebration: Adam Smith reveals what really gets our laureates celebrating
In this special bonus episode of Nobel Prize Conversations, we shine a light on the many ways achievements in science are celebrated — from quiet late-night breakthroughs in the lab to the glittering applause of the Nobel Prize award ceremony. Host Karin Svensson speaks with Adam ... Show More
47m 39s
May 2022
EP308: Triumph and Disaster: The Life of Rudyard Kipling, The German Immigrant Who Brought Us Banquet Beer and The Man Who Played with Trains
On this episode of Our American Stories, the History Guy tells us the story of the youngest-ever winner of the Nobel Prize for literature, Rudyard Kipling, and how he survived a difficult childhood to go on to become one of the most celebrated authors of his day, penning such cla ... Show More
38m 16s
Jan 2021
Kulturhörnan 04 -Nobelpriset - Coffee Break Swedish Culture
<p>We're back with another episode of our mini Swedish culture series,&nbsp;<em>Kulturhörnan</em>&nbsp;- "culture corner", and this time we're learning about one of the most influential Swedes, Alfred Nobel. Join Mark and Lovisa as they discuss his life and work, as well as some ... Show More
12m 3s
Oct 2021
Nobel Prize 2.0
The Nobel Prize has rewarded some amazing discoveries. It’s also contributed to scientific tunnel vision. This week, how the Nobel impacted our understanding of an enormous cosmic mystery, and what a new and improved Nobel Prize could look like. For more, go to http://vox.com/une ... Show More
25m 37s