Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2020/02/27
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]super! ric > On Feb 27, 2020, at 10:52 AM, 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 > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information