The Letter That Led to the Atomic Bomb | Genius

ALBERT EINSTEIN (VOICEOVER): Based on this new phenomenon, it is conceivable, though much less certain, that an extremely powerful bomb of a new type may be constructed. FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT: A single bomb of this type, carried by boat and exploded in a port, might very well destroy the whole port together with some of the surrounding territory. Good god. I don't need to tell you what could happen if the Germans developed this technology before we do. I'll be doing the goose step. --[chuckles] Or worse, which is why I'm asking you to take charge of a program to research and develop an atomic weapon. It would require tremendous resources. Of that, I have no doubt. I need wide latitude to manage the project-- the scientists, the military, clandestine operations. Secrecy would be vital, sir. You couldn't let the crowds get onto us. Everyone involved will need security clearance. EDGAR: Oppenheimer, Teller, Fermi, Einstein. Hm. No. [closes notebook] No, Einstein is out. MILITARY OFFICIAL: You haven't even run his background, Edgar. EDGAR: The Bureau has been concerned about Einstein for years. He's a radical, most certainly communist. MILITARY OFFICIAL: He's the man who informed the president of the urgency of this matter. He cannot be trusted to be loyal to our country. I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America. Against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Against all enemies, foreign and domestic. JUDGE: That I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law. That I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law.

Channel: National Geographic

Views: 4,128,653

Keywords: Genius, national geographic, nat geo, natgeo, animals, wildlife, science, explore, discover, survival, nature, culture, documentary, Einstein, The Last Chapter, Albert Einstein, Geoffrey Rush, Johnny Flynn, Ron Howard, Emily Watson, physics, history, biography, drama, letter, atomic bomb, FDR, Franklin Roosevelt, nuclear weapons, Hoover, The Letter That, Led to the, PLivjPDlt6ApRiBHpsyXWG22G8RPNZ6jlb, PLivjPDlt6ApSV6IhEzPW2w60mwFVtXgNR, PLivjPDlt6ApTD3g-2b8Qb-Q_8vD4VXPMV, new country, oppenheimer

Id: sQGjiieee-A

Length: 2min 11sec (131 seconds)

Published: Sun Jun 18 2017