Democratic Sentinel, Volume 7, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 May 1883 — Timely Information. [ARTICLE]

Timely Information.

Dynamite looks very much like moist brown sugar. Nitro-glycerine, which is formed by the action of nitric acid upon glycerine, at low temperature, is the active agent in dynamite; but it is mixed with some absorbent substance to make it safer to handle than the liquid nitroglycerine. The absorbent material used is a silicious earth, a fine white powder composed of the remains of infusoria, and resembling powdered chalk. This takes up two or three times its weight of nitro-glycerine, without becoming pasty, and the ingredients are easily mixed, leaden vessels and wooden spoons being used to avoid dangerous friction. If flame is applied to this mass it burns with a strong flame, but will not explode; but when ignited by a detonating fuse, or even by a sudden blow, its explosive force is tremendous, being about six times that of gunpowder.