The Sand That (almost) Killed Millions



As the Cold War raged in the wake of humanity’s increasing understanding of nuclear science — and history’s very first use of an atomic bomb — both the United States and Russia started the search for a kinder, gentler form of nuclear warfare. It was a combination of traditional, familiar weaponry with emerging scientific capabilities, and it’s how we got “Death Sand.”

Radiological weaponry came straight from the pages of early 20th century science fiction, with visionaries like HG Wells and Robert Heinlein both being frighteningly accurate about our future. But despite their warnings, the prospect of harnessing less-lethal versions of “The Bomb” tantalized militaries struggling to keep up in the post-World War II global climate.

The strange science of Death Sand is a fascinating chapter in the epic story of our species’ oldest question: How do we deal with violence?

#coldwar #History #Nuclear #radiation

source

31 thoughts on “The Sand That (almost) Killed Millions”

  1. I prefer water and fluid dynamics.

    Don’t be ridiculous stranger:-/

    Sand is useful for concrete, electronics, and glass- but everything is reliant on fluid dynamics.
    – Including the ground you stand on

    Reply
  2. Can you please do a video about the streamline ship that was featured in 1932 by popular science and was rumored to have been bought by Mussolini actually I think Mussolini refused but still a good story that needs a video

    Reply
  3. The UK had a radioactive cloud that poisoned a big area in the Emu Field tests in Australia. They "tested" plutonium by melting it with explosives. Left about 20kg worth in the desert.

    Reply
  4. "…and when there was no meat, we ate fowl and when there was no fowl, we ate crawdad and when there was no crawdad to be found, we ate sand."

    "You ate what?"

    "We ate sand."

    "You ate SAND?"

    Reply

Leave a Comment