DEAD HAND RADIO is a podcast about the Cold War. It’s history and the effects it had on our culture, technology and the future of our world.

My guest for this episode of Dead Hand Radio is Joe Kent. Director of Education for the National Atomic Testing Museum in Las Vegas, Nevada.

RUN TIME 2:00:00

The National Atomic Testing Museum (NATM) is a national science, history and educational institution that tells the story of America’s nuclear weapons testing program at the Nevada Test Site.

The museum’s focus is to preserve, consolidate and make accessible to the public historical and archival records, films, photographs, testing and archeological artifacts associated with the Nevada Test Site.

The museum offers public tours, educational programs, guest lectures, and book signings for the purpose of raising awareness of the Nevada Test Site and the nation's nuclear weapons testing program.

Manhattan Project and the First Atomic Bombs

June 1942 marks the beginning of the Manhattan Project. But prior to that a very important correspondence took place that led to the development of the program.

July 16 1945 is a significant day in history. It was the day of the world’s first atomic explosion. And we’re coming up on the 75th anniversary of that date.

August 1945 two more bombs were detonated, this time on civilian populated areas, resulting in massive casualties, and the surrender of the Japanese army which effectively ended the war in the Pacific.

The Nevada Test Site

The Nevada Test Site was Established 1951 and was host to 100 above ground and 828 underground nuclear tests were conducted between 1951 and 1992.

I just found out that a distant relative of mine, Andrew Weiman worked for General Atomic at the test site and designed the high speed instrumentation necessary to measure the short-lived particles from underground nuclear tests. I was pretty excited to hear this and received a written account of some of his involvement with the test site. I haven’t read this yet, but I'm very much looking forward to it.

Leading to the end of the cold war a few significant dates should be mentioned.

November 1989 Berlin Wall comes down
December 1991 USSR Collapses
October 2nd 1992 Moratorium on Nuclear Testing went into effect.
What’s the current state of the Nevada Test Site?

DEAD HAND RADIO

My goal is to examine these and other topics, and guide listeners and guests of the show, on a journey of mind expanding contemplation. To learn. To educate. To entertain and exchange ideas with those interested.

So join me, and together we’ll explore a fascinating period of history and examine some incredible advancements in weapons, technology, science, art and culture and discuss how all of it relates to the future of our world.

If you or someone you know has knowledge about the cold war or any other topics we discuss on this program, please get in touch and let’s talk. It could be a great conversation for a future episode and I’m especially interested to talk with anyone who has first hand knowledge of these topics.

If you have questions or comments, drop me an email, or visit DeadHandRadio.com. You can also find me on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

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MORTAL ENGINES & THE RAILHEAD by PHILIP REEVE