Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford
Into the Black Lair: V2 Rocket (Part 2)
Feb 16, 2024
Wernher von Braun, a brilliant young scientist pivotal in developing the V2 rocket, recounts the tumultuous journey of rocket research in 1930s Germany. He shares how he turned initial failures into a coup for funding from the army and navigated a deadly political maze under Nazi rule. The tension between ambition and the dire consequences of the regime, including brushes with figures like Heinrich Himmler, highlights the ethical dilemmas faced in the pursuit of innovation during a dark time.
38:24
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Quick takeaways
- Von Braun and his team's shift from theoretical to practical approach marked a turning point in rocket development, as they faced challenges in design and resources.
- The V2 rocket program exemplified the challenges of balancing ambition with practicality, with von Braun's ambitious promises driven by his enthusiasm for funding.
Deep dives
Von Braun's Background and Early Challenges
Baron Werner von Braun, a brilliant and driven young man, joined the Society for Spaceship Travel, a ragtag group facing obstacles due to scarce resources. In 1932, the German Army offered funding to the society if they focused on developing rockets as weapons. This marked a turning point as von Braun and his team moved from a theoretical to a practical approach, facing challenges in design and resources.
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