The History of the Twentieth Century 391 The Manhattan Project
12 snips
Dec 25, 2024 The discussion highlights the accelerated American atom bomb project sparked by Pearl Harbor. It reveals the critical role of Vanivar Bush in wartime scientific advancements, particularly penicillin and radar technology. Fears of atomic weaponry grow as geopolitical concerns emerge, focusing on uranium control. The foundational experiments led by Fermi at Columbia set the stage for nuclear fission breakthroughs. Leadership changes within the Manhattan Project underscore the urgency of the mission, with Robert Oppenheimer taking the helm in a rapidly expanding effort.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Vannevar Bush's Inventions
- Vannevar Bush, born in 1890, invented a thermal switch and an analog device for solving differential equations.
- These inventions, along with his work on the voltage regulator tube and founding of Raytheon, made him wealthy.
Bush's Scientific Priorities
- Vannevar Bush, as president of the Carnegie Institution, prioritized hard sciences.
- He defunded eugenics research and archaeology, reflecting his focus.
Bush's Wartime Research Efforts
- After Germany invaded Poland, Vannevar Bush addressed US wartime research preparedness.
- He proposed the National Defense Research Committee, which Roosevelt quickly approved.