Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
While commonly associated in pop culture with the likes of the Looney Tunes, Blasting Machines are practical tools which have been used in mining, construction, and many other industries for over a century and a half. In this video, we look at three different models of blasting machines:
-Dominion Electrical Works plunger machine (c.1930s)
-Exploders Dynamo Mk.VII (1940s-50s)
-Exploder Dynamo-Condenser Mk.II/III (1950s/60s)
Dynamite and Viagra TIFO Video: youtube.com/watch?v=BtSL5qoQZD8&pp=ygUadG9kYXkgaSBmb3VuZCBvdXQgZHluYW1pdGU%3D
U.S.S. Vesuvius 'Dynamite Cruiser' TIFO Video: youtube.com/watch?v=XJXOkHwtqV0&pp=ygUadG9kYXkgaSBmb3VuZCBvdXQgZHluYW1pdGU%3D
0:00 Introduction
0:50 Black Gunpowder
1:50 Nitroglycerine
3:08 Dynamite and Blasting Gelatin
4:35 Blasting Caps
5:23 Dominion Electrical Works Machine
6:10 Internal Components
7:19 Plunger Machine Styles
7:55 Three-Terminal Machines
9:32 Blasters Dynamo Mk.VII
11:17 Plunger Setup
11:56 Internal Components
13:15 Exploder Dynamo-Condensor Mk.II/III
14:22 Crank Handle Setup
15:15 Mk.II or III?
15:35 Internal Circuitry
17:07 Current Blasting Technology
17:29 Outro
SOURCES
patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/cd/7c/ba/5f4990cd63b384/US2908847.pdf
biodiversitylibrary.org/item/80719#page/27/mode/1up
halslamppost.com/Mining Catalogs and Brochures/1918 Mining Catalog.pdf
digital.sciencehistory.org/works/j58a3jo/viewer/9rs99xl
cdn.preterhuman.net/texts/terrorism_and_pyrotechnics/explosives
Demolition_Blasting_Sabotage/Dupont Blasters Handbook 1922 ed.pdf
halslamppost.com/Mining Catalogs and Brochures/1921 Keystone Mining Catalogue.pdf
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/REL35125?image=2
worthpoint.com/worthopedia/exploders-dynamo-mk-vii-ww2-uk-1850617267
bocn.co.uk/threads/blasting-machines.70377/page-2#google_vignette
iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30019877
https://www.henrysmilitarycollectables.com.au/products/sold-items/wwii-australian-army-exploders-dynamo-mk-vii-detonator-blasting-machine-sold.aspx
patents.google.com/patent/GB598459A/en?oq=GB598459
hatchfive.wordpress.com/2018/01/10/mk-ii-beethoven-exploder-condenser-unit
patents.google.com/patent/US534289A/en
patents.google.com/patent/US436023A/en
While commonly associated in pop culture with the likes of the Looney Tunes, Blasting Machines are practical tools which have been used in mining, construction, and many other industries for over a century and a half. In this video, we look at three different models of blasting machines:
-Dominion Electrical Works plunger machine (c.1930s)
-Exploders Dynamo Mk.VII (1940s-50s)
-Exploder Dynamo-Condenser Mk.II/III (1950s/60s)
Dynamite and Viagra TIFO Video: youtube.com/watch?v=BtSL5qoQZD8&pp=ygUadG9kYXkgaSBmb3VuZCBvdXQgZHluYW1pdGU%3D
U.S.S. Vesuvius 'Dynamite Cruiser' TIFO Video: youtube.com/watch?v=XJXOkHwtqV0&pp=ygUadG9kYXkgaSBmb3VuZCBvdXQgZHluYW1pdGU%3D
0:00 Introduction
0:50 Black Gunpowder
1:50 Nitroglycerine
3:08 Dynamite and Blasting Gelatin
4:35 Blasting Caps
5:23 Dominion Electrical Works Machine
6:10 Internal Components
7:19 Plunger Machine Styles
7:55 Three-Terminal Machines
9:32 Blasters Dynamo Mk.VII
11:17 Plunger Setup
11:56 Internal Components
13:15 Exploder Dynamo-Condensor Mk.II/III
14:22 Crank Handle Setup
15:15 Mk.II or III?
15:35 Internal Circuitry
17:07 Current Blasting Technology
17:29 Outro
SOURCES
patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/cd/7c/ba/5f4990cd63b384/US2908847.pdf
biodiversitylibrary.org/item/80719#page/27/mode/1up
halslamppost.com/Mining Catalogs and Brochures/1918 Mining Catalog.pdf
digital.sciencehistory.org/works/j58a3jo/viewer/9rs99xl
cdn.preterhuman.net/texts/terrorism_and_pyrotechnics/explosives
Demolition_Blasting_Sabotage/Dupont Blasters Handbook 1922 ed.pdf
halslamppost.com/Mining Catalogs and Brochures/1921 Keystone Mining Catalogue.pdf
https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/REL35125?image=2
worthpoint.com/worthopedia/exploders-dynamo-mk-vii-ww2-uk-1850617267
bocn.co.uk/threads/blasting-machines.70377/page-2#google_vignette
iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30019877
https://www.henrysmilitarycollectables.com.au/products/sold-items/wwii-australian-army-exploders-dynamo-mk-vii-detonator-blasting-machine-sold.aspx
patents.google.com/patent/GB598459A/en?oq=GB598459
hatchfive.wordpress.com/2018/01/10/mk-ii-beethoven-exploder-condenser-unit
patents.google.com/patent/US534289A/en
patents.google.com/patent/US436023A/en
