FUN WITH MAPS – ISSUE 2025-197
By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)
LOVELAND, OH (November 25, 2025) – Today’s edition of Fun with Maps commemorates the patent issue for a quite destructive invention.
Swedish Boom
He spoke six languages fluently. He held 355 patents, the first issued when he was 24 years of age. He never attended university.
He was also declared dead in newspapers in error when his younger brother died. Check your sources…
His most well-known invention was intended originally for mining purposes but quickly started to be used for military purposes as well.
He is Alfred Nobel and the said invention is dynamite, for which he received a patent in 1867.
He established a trust to manage annual awards upon his death (1896) given in a number of scientific fields, and later for other disciplines. The core principle for the Nobel Prize is betterment of humankind, as he deeply regretted that his invention was used for military purposes.
This map of Stockholm and surroundings is by Blaeu from 1659. Nobel was born in the Swedish capital.
Stockholm – Circa 1659 (Credit Steve Kovacs)
Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.
Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.
