From gunpowder to gelignite

The recollections and researches of Scottish Safeman who learned his trade at the time when safe-blowing reached its peak between the late 40’s and 60’s, and who, through necessity, had to become familiar with the use of explosives.

Why Peterman? The Chambers Dictionary states that it is slang for a safe-blower and that peter can mean a safe or a prison cell. Others suggest that it is of Scottish origin in which case it could relate to Peterhead Prison which housed many safe-breakers. Again others say it is just a safe-breaker. Could it perhaps be associated with the Old French – péter – meaning to crack or explode? It could even be derived from saltpetre, a component of gunpowder.