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.

Jaksot(416)

The American Civil War, Part 2 | War is Hell

The American Civil War, Part 2 | War is Hell

Around him lay the carnage of battle, men killed or nursing wounds. Smoke filled the air and burned the colonel's lungs. His depleted regiment had already repelled three attacks by rebels charging up the hill and was nearing the end of their strength. And yet the grey-coats kept coming. His superior's orders rang in his ears, "You must hold the line." Looking around, he thought to himself, "What more can we do?" Then it came to him, an order not often given in these days of modern war. Standing tall, he gave instructions to his battalion and company commanders, and then shouted a single word to those men still standing—"Bayonets!" Join us as we teach you about the end of the American Civil War, the failings of Reconstruction, and the long-term effects of this conflict on our nation's history.

8 Maalis 202117min

The American Civil War, Part 2 | A Discussion on War is Hell

The American Civil War, Part 2 | A Discussion on War is Hell

Join us as we discuss the end of the American Civil War, the failings of Reconstruction, and the long-term effects of this conflict on our nation's history.

8 Maalis 202138min

The American Civil War, Part 1 | War is Glory

The American Civil War, Part 1 | War is Glory

The streets of Washington buzzed with the news. Now seven states had seceded from the Union, and the country stood on the brink. The White House saw streams of officials entering and leaving as the president summoned the Cabinet and members of Congress to find a solution to the country's plight. Most believed that his inaction the previous December had led to this moment, while others pointed to the results of the election as the breaking point. Regardless of who was to blame, something had to be done. Federal troops in Fort Sumter were in a precarious position and calling for aid. A ship had been dispatched to resupply them but could not land its cargo because of fire from rebel batteries. As he sat in his office on the second floor of the White House, the President of the United States knew that he could not reunite the country. His term would end at noon the following day. His successor, whose election had precipitated the great crisis of the Union, would now have to solve it. Join us in the first of a two-part episode where we teach you about the American Civil War and its effect on our history.    Access this transcript at www.15minutehistorypodcast.org and please leave us a review wherever you listen to this podcast.

1 Maalis 202117min

The American Civil War, Part 1 | A Discussion on War is Glory

The American Civil War, Part 1 | A Discussion on War is Glory

Join us as we discuss the beginnings of the American Civil War, the vile and evil institution of slavery, and the beginning of the bloody process by which it was finally brought to an end.

1 Maalis 202138min

Thomas Crapper | A Brief History of Plumbing

Thomas Crapper | A Brief History of Plumbing

The concept of moving water from one place to the other has been on the minds of humans since their creation. Conversely, the desire to move soiled water away automatically has – at times – been considered equally important. The means by which this could be done has evolved as civilizations have come and gone. In all of them, a basic pattern emerged in plumbing conception and construction: the path, the pipe, and the seal. Join us as we teach you a brief history of plumbing, its evolution through the ages, and the influence of Thomas Crapper on plumbing technology and sanitation practices.  Access this transcript at www.15minutehistorypodcast.org and please leave us a review wherever you listen to this podcast.

22 Helmi 202114min

Thomas Crapper | A Discussion on the Brief History of Plumbing

Thomas Crapper | A Discussion on the Brief History of Plumbing

Join us as we discuss the history of plumbing, the influence of Thomas Crapper, and the legacy of the pipe, the path, and the seal.

22 Helmi 202117min

Romanticism | From Enlightenment to Emotion

Romanticism | From Enlightenment to Emotion

It is very common throughout history to see periods of great innovation and artistic expression follow times of great turmoil and death. The Napoleonic Wars (1803-1815) were some of the worst years in the history of Europe, and in their wake, many artists, writers, philosophers, and common people took stock of what they had just endured.   Join us as we teach you about the age of Romanticism and its effect on culture, art, and the sciences.    Access this transcript at www.15minutehistorypodcast.org and please leave us a review wherever you listen to this podcast.

15 Helmi 202116min

Romanticism | A Discussion on Enlightenment to Emotion

Romanticism | A Discussion on Enlightenment to Emotion

Join us as we discuss the age of Romanticism and its effect on culture, art, and the sciences.

15 Helmi 202124min

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