[Leica] RETROSPECT2

[Jayanand Govindaraj]

Nice story!

Cheers
Jayanand

On Thu, Feb 27, 2020 at 9:22 PM Bill Clough via LUG <lug at leica-users.org>
wrote:

> USA
> TEXAS
> VICTORIA
>
> Hi there –
>
> On Dec. 10, 1961, the Atomic Energy Commission, under the direction of Dr.
> Edward Teller, detonated a nuclear “device” a quarter of a mile beneath the
> salt flats of southeastern New Mexico, ostensibly for peaceful purposes
> (although the test also included a new design of trigger for weapons of
> war).
>
> The idea was to create an sphere of steam to power a generator to produce
> electrical power .
>
> Things did not go well. The explosion was supposed to seal itself off, but
> radioactive vapor began escaping from the shaft. Because of geography and
> the prevailing winds, the radioactive cloud crossed the highway – the only
> route to Carlsbad, trapping the entire world’s press.
>
> Tempers began to escalate as reporters watched  teir deadline approach and
> pass.
>
> In order to placate the press, Teller held an impromptu news conference.
> One of the reporters was an obnoxious science writer from the San Francisco
> Chronicle. He was wearing a bright red Strategic Air Command cap and was
> upset because he wanted to go down and visit the shaft,
>
> “Dr. Teller,” he asked, “You won’t let us drive back to Carlsbad and you
> won’t let us visit the shaft. Can you, at least, tell us what kind of vapor
> is leaking from that shaft?”
>
> Teller raised his binoculars and carefully studied the shaft. He then
> turned to address the press.
>
> “Vite vapor.”
>
>
>
> http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Bill1941/RETROSPECT/edwardtelleratnome1961_00051.jpg.html
>
>
> –Bill
>
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