ABSTRACT

Explosives are one of man’s principal tools, powerful and yet safe and controllable enough to be used in the hearts of cities. They are vital for locating our raw materials and fuels and in extracting them from the earth. Additionally, they are essential for clearing away obstacles as we change the face of the land with roads, airports, and cities. If it were not for explosives, specifically nitroglycerin (NG) and dynamite, there would not have been the industrial revolution. Although its use has slowed at times, it has never stopped. The manufacture of industrial and military explosives is not only an important industry but also is essential for our well-being and defense. Most of us never think about explosives until we are delayed along a highway due to blasting operations or involved in a horrific bombing. Assuredly, almost all explosives are utilized for their intended purposes.