The bomb (part 1): were nuclear weapons inevitable?

The bomb (part 1): were nuclear weapons inevitable?

Where did the world’s most devastating weapon come from? In a four-part series, we go behind the scenes at America's nuclear laboratories to understand how a scientific-mystery story about the ingredients of matter led to a world-changing (and second-world-war-ending) bomb less than five decades later.


Nuclear weapons have been central to geopolitical power ever since. Now America is seeking to modernise its stockpile and, in doing so, its scientists are pushing the frontiers of extreme physics, materials science and computing.


In episode one, we look at the birth of nuclear physics—the science that emerged early in the 20th century to answer a mystery: what is an atom actually made of?


Host: Alok Jha, The Economist’s science and technology editor. Contributors: Frank Close, a physicist and author of “Destroyer of Worlds”, a history of the birth of nuclear physics; Cheryl Rofer, a chemist who used to work at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL); and Nicholas Lewis, a historian at LANL.


This episode features archive from the Atomic Heritage Foundation.


Listen to episode two here.


Transcripts of our podcasts are available via economist.com/podcasts.


This is a free episode. To continue listening to “The Bomb”, you’ll need to subscribe.


Listen to what matters most, from global politics and business to science and technology—subscribe to Economist Podcasts+.


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Lights out: Venezuela’s blackout

Lights out: Venezuela’s blackout

Power cuts in Caracas have endangered lives and deepened the misery of Venezuelans. It’s another sign of the corruption that pervades the Maduro regime. Also, how do you make a 10,000 ton ship disappear? And the Hebrew bible - otherwise known as the old testament - gets a fresh new translation. Music courtesy of Ethan James McCollum Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14 Maalis 201922min

Losing the plot: Brexit

Losing the plot: Brexit

The second defeat of British Prime Minister’s plan for withdrawal from the EU has weakened her. But what does it mean for the risk of a no-deal outcome? The chances of a Brexit delay are rising by the day. Competition between major powers for influence in Africa is intensifying, as Russia, China, Europe and America all see potential in the continent. And more gender-inclusive language is proving a headache for grammarians. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13 Maalis 201921min

Flying stop: Boeing

Flying stop: Boeing

Following a second fatal crash of Boeing’s 737-MAX, China was quick to ground its fleet of the newish airliner. What does this mean for the world’s largest planemaker? In Russia, protests have broken out against President Vladimir Putin’s attempt to isolate and control the country’s internet. His bid to regain Russians’ full attention may come too late. And, we look at why so many women are getting divorced in Bangladesh. Additional audio from Anton Scherbakov Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

12 Maalis 201921min

The sensitive month: Tibet

The sensitive month: Tibet

China’s party leaders get nervous in March—a month full of anniversaries that Tibetans hold dear. As the 60th anniversary of Tibet’s uprising approaches, security is tighter than usual. Corporate-risk managers are rotten at assessing their exposure to a changing climate; we examine the dangers that many are ignoring. And, a look back at André Previn—and a life of far more than just show tunes and showmanship. Additional audio courtesy of Twitter users @ngagya95 and @TibetPeople Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

11 Maalis 201923min

Fifth time unlucky: Algeria’s protests

Fifth time unlucky: Algeria’s protests

Widespread protests will continue today against the re-election run of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, who hasn’t been heard from since a stroke in 2013. Algerians have had enough of their country’s proxy rule and misrule. We also ask if countries can sometimes be better run when their leaders are out of action. And, knife crime is on the rise in Britain, but the causes—and the solutions—are a matter of uncomfortable debate. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

8 Maalis 201922min

Guilt and association: Paul Manafort

Guilt and association: Paul Manafort

President Donald Trump’s former campaign manager can expect to have the book thrown at him at his sentencing today—the first for crimes revealed by Robert Mueller, the special counsel investigating Mr Trump’s campaign. Following a tense stand-off with Pakistan, we look at how Hindu nationalism has shaped Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s time in office, and will shape his re-election campaign. And, how North Korean refugees ship money home illicitly. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

7 Maalis 201923min

Trudeau in trouble: a sunny leader in stormy times

Trudeau in trouble: a sunny leader in stormy times

Canada’s fresh-faced leader has been a icon for embattled liberals. But now he faces damaging accusations of meddling in a judicial process. Will Justin Trudeau be contrite or fight? And free money sounds like a grand idea. Here’s how universal basic income is being tested in practice. Also, young men in Pakistan grow some very fancy beards. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 Maalis 201919min

Xi’ll meet again: China’s People’s Congress opens

Xi’ll meet again: China’s People’s Congress opens

The National People's Congress of China gathers today for ten days of deliberations. Tensions with the West over the trade war and disagreement about the role of technology giant Huawei will be in the background. Bosses are not always the most reliable narrators for an investor seeking to gain insight into a company. But there are new data sources that are making it harder for executives to mislead them. And an attic in France has yielded a find some claim to have been painted by the 17th century master Caravaggio. But how do we assess whether an unsigned, orphaned work is the real, very expensive deal? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

5 Maalis 201920min

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