Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, founded the Nobel Prize.

The Nobel Peace Prize was started by the man shown here, Alfred Nobel. He was a Swedish inventor who came up with two very big ideas: the blasting cap and then, in 1866, dynamite. When people around the world learned what dynamite could do for them, Nobel became a very rich man. He built businesses in more than 20 countries and invested his money wisely. But he was upset that his inventions were being used to create weapons. So he left instructions that when he died, his fortune should be spent on an annual prize for the people who had helped the world the most in five categories: peace, literature, chemistry, medicine, and physics. Later, a category was added for economics. What other categories do you think would be good additions to the Nobel prizes? If you were very rich, how would you use your money to help humanity?

On the left you see an example of the Nobel Peace Prize medal. All of the Nobel Prizes are among the most respected awards in the world. Winning a Nobel Prize means instant fame -- and instant money. Winners of the Nobel Prizes receive a check for over $1 million. How do you think most Nobel Prize winners use their prize money? Which people in the world today do you think deserve a Nobel Prize? Why do you think they deserve this honor?

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