Subject: So. Studies/Sciences: History

U.S. History Series

How Well We Meant (A Nuclear Retrospective)

"Highly Recommended. This program records the remembrances and views of the work of perhaps a dozen of the scientists who worked on the atomic bomb at Los Alamos, New Mexico, during WW II, including segments of Nobel physicist I. I. Rabi's address to this group. As referenced in its title, these men still question whether it was really a good idea to develop the atomic bomb, considering that they, its creators, could not control its use. The format consists of reportage, commentary, and documentation, rather than discussion. Recommended as a discussion starter in government, history, and philosophy classes, as well as with community and religious groups concerned about national policy questions." -VRG Review
The Manhattan Project - the codename used during World War II in the development of the first atomic bomb. It was pushed to completion due to fears that Nazi Germany would create an a-bomb; then two nuclear bombs were used against Japan, which brought an end to the war, and a beginning of the Nuclear Age - a nuclear arms' race of weapons, if used, could bring the annihilation of mankind. The secret lab where the two bombs were made was in Los Alamos, New Mexico, which today is the Los Alamos National Laboratory. This classic program documents the 40th Anniversary of Los Alamos, interweaving historical footage and graphics, while recording the perspectives of people who were there four decades earlier. With hundreds of thousands of lives at stake the purpose of these brilliant scientists was clear, "how well we meant," in wanting to end the war. However, 40 years later, with the threat of nuclear war a possibility, scientists who worked on these early bombs underscore the need for the world to avoid such a confrontation ever again. Today, this insightful program continues to bring to issue how to deal with the innovations of science. Produced by Sky Fabin. 2010DR/CL JSCA 30 min.
Associated Article: Building the Bomb -Smithsonian Magazine