The Manhattan Project | Scientific Achievement vs Ethical Responsibility (Republish)

The Manhattan Project | Scientific Achievement vs Ethical Responsibility (Republish)

During the summer break, the 15-Minute History podcast team are republishing some of their favorite episodes. This episode originally aired on May 5, 2025.

Season 9 begins Monday, October 7!

___

It was still dark. The group of men felt the breeze getting warmer as the eastern horizon began to show signs of light. One of the men, tall with no expression, watched as final preparations were made to a large object in front of the group.

The others saw the anxiety in his face in a way that only those had had been around him could discern. The man walked forward, spoke with some of the technicians, and watched them haul it away. It was going to a tower, visible in the distance. Conversations around him continued, but only because it seemed like they had to. Somehow, the silence would have been louder.

Not long after, notifications came from the tower; an all clear was given. At 5:29 a.m., a flash of light that was so brilliant it could be seen from 200 miles away blossomed in the desert. The mushroom cloud rose 40,000 feet into the air, and the shock wave was felt 100 miles from ground zero. The man who all that morning had worn no expression, would later recall remembering a Hindu scripture in that moment: "Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds."

Another man who witnessed the test described the overwhelming impression it left: "A new thing had just been born; a new control; a new understanding of man, which man had acquired over nature." Another observer said, "The lighting effects beggared description. The whole country was lighted by a searing light with the intensity many times that of the midday sun."

Humanity had crossed a threshold.

___

Join us as we show you the Manhattan Project, the reason behind the development of nuclear weapons, and the ethical implications of such an invention.

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The German Resistance | A Discussion on Standing Alone

The German Resistance | A Discussion on Standing Alone

Join us as we discuss the German resistance against Hitler, the bravery of those who gave everything to stop him and the Nazis, and the relentless push against the evil perpetrated by both.

6 Helmi 202333min

The German Resistance | Standing Alone

The German Resistance | Standing Alone

The factory worker's back ached as he sat with his wife and daughter eating a meager breakfast. No enemy raids last night, so the family had actually slept well. His son entered the kitchen with the morning's mail in his small hands. His father took the stack from his boy, passed a letter to his wife from her mother—God protect her, he thought—and then opened the first envelope. His eyes widened as he read the words and then flickered to the door; he half expected Gestapo agents to burst through it. "Nothing is so unworthy of a civilized nation as allowing itself to be ‘governed’ by an irresponsible clique that has yielded to base instinct. It is certain that today every honest German is ashamed of his government." The man folded the paper and put it back in the envelope, then tucked it into his waistcoat pocket. But that night, in a candlelit cellar, he read every word. It spoke of German history, of morality and ethics, and cursed the Führer's regime to the hell from which it had emerged. His eyes were wet with tears as he read its final words, lines of poetry from the great German writer Goethe: "Now I find my good men | Are gathered in the night, | To wait in silence, not to sleep. | And the glorious word of liberty, they whisper and murmur, | Till in unaccustomed strangeness, | On the steps of our temple | Once again they cry in delight | Freedom! Freedom!" Join us as we teach you about the German resistance against Hitler, the bravery of those who gave everything to stop him and the Nazis, and the relentless push against the evil perpetrated by both.

30 Tammi 202315min

What to Watch | A Discussion on History in Movies, Part III

What to Watch | A Discussion on History in Movies, Part III

Join us as we discuss the good and bad movies from the episode, What to Watch | History in Movies, Part III.

23 Tammi 202345min

What to Watch | History in Movies, Part III

What to Watch | History in Movies, Part III

Back by popular demand - mostly Jon’s - is our “What to Watch” in historical movies series. This time, Joe got to review the good ones, while Jon suffered through the bad ones. The team also recorded this one together, so expect some words of affirmation, and maybe, disgust.

16 Tammi 202323min

St. Nicholas | A Discussion (w/ two special guests)

St. Nicholas | A Discussion (w/ two special guests)

Join us as we discuss (with two very special guests) St. Nicolas, who he was in history, and how we became the jolly Saint we see depicted everywhere throughout the holiday season. Let us know if you would like our two special guests to return!

24 Joulu 202218min

St. Nicholas | A Historical Perspective

St. Nicholas | A Historical Perspective

As the holidays approach and young children start writing their letters (or sending emails, tweets, and Tik Toks) to Santa, we here at 15-Minute History thought it would be fun to look back at the man who inspired generations to give gifts to friends and loved ones each Christmas. Parents, don't worry if you're listening to this with the kids--there won't be any spoilers. Join us as we teach you about St. Nicolas, who he was in history, and how we became the jolly Saint we see depicted everywhere throughout the holiday season.

19 Joulu 20228min

The History of Social Media | A Discussion

The History of Social Media | A Discussion

Join us as we discuss the history of social media, the reason for its popularity, and some ways to use social to influence the word around us in a positive way.

12 Joulu 202222min

The History of Social Media | REDUX

The History of Social Media | REDUX

In this REDUX episode from our first season, we show you the history of social media from its inception to today, the reason for its popularity, and its possible impact on our society today. The first attempt at what would later be defined as “social media” took place in the fall of 1969. The United States military was conducting tests using the first proto-internet, called ARPANET, which was used to create connections between computer stations. This pre-internet attempt spawned the famous communication – or lack of communication – which occurred in October of 1969 from the campus of UCLA. An attempt was made to send the word Login between two computers on campus, but a computer crash resulted in the letters LO being received. This first miscommunication did not stop the developers from continuing their work and successfully sending the message a month later. This achievement, both the failed communication and the successful one, would have a lasting effect on social media, whether those developers intended it or not.

5 Joulu 202218min

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