And we all know Alfred. But, hands up everyone who knows about his two brothers, Robert and Ludwig? It's a shame if you don't, because they make the story behind the prize and Alfred's work so much more exciting.

Alfred's genius comes from a family context. He is not a loner; geniuses rarely are, as they often emerge from a creative environment. Family, social environment, or wider circles often provide part of the explanation for greatness—without diminishing it. This is evident when observing the interaction between the Nobel brothers as successful inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs.
Therefore, it's a bit strange that Robert and Ludwig still remain so much in the shadow of their brother. As entrepreneurs, they were each other's equals and often helped each other's businesses. In the original Nobel Foundation's capital, nearly 20 percent came from the black gold, which the oil company Branobel pumped from the ground near the Caspian Sea. This part of the capital Alfred cashed in when he sold his share in the brothers' oil company. Of course, there are explanations for the forgetfulness. The Russian Revolution got in the way, they had to flee head over heels to Sweden, and the curtain fell over one of the world's largest business empires. Some scientific research has taken place, mostly during the Soviet era and not comprehensive. From the Swedish side, the matter can be described as polite disinterest in this piece of Swedish hero history. Our Swedish view of the Nobel brand is probably also quite geocentric.

When I meet friends and colleagues in Russia or Azerbaijan, the perspective changes—it was here that Robert and Ludwig's entrepreneurship came to shape the economy, infrastructure, and view of foreign capital. The perception of the brothers' work is still characterized by philanthropy, care for employees, and fair behavior—call it a kind of CSR ahead of its time.
When the story of brothers Robert and Ludwig is finally told, in book form or as a documentary (and we at the Centre for Business History will do that!), it will be like raising the warship Vasa from the depths of history. Grand, splendid, and with the drama of a story about rise and fall.

If you don't want to wait for this, I recommend the site brothersnobel.se.

Also, listen to our podcast Radio CfN about the Nobel Brothers!