 | There's a crazy rumour amongst the staff, without any credence whatsoever, that the bomb, when it explodes, will ignite the hydrogen in the air and destroy the whole world. This has been aided by Enrico Fermi, who, laughing, has taken bets on whether it will destroy the whole world, or just New Mexico, terrifying, both those without a grasp of theory, and those with the knowledge, that a theory is just that. Enrico says, General, don't be annoyed, if it doesn't work, the experiment will still be a success, for, after all, the best minds in the world will have proved it impossible. What could be better? Enrico says, When I drop these paper scraps, Like so, see? There is no wind. Before the blast they fall in a pile, pretty straight, but, if I let them fall, when I feel the shock - the vibration of the bomb - they will fall to one side, see? 2.5 metres. It's an easy calculation. The distance of displacement tells me. The bomb, equivalent to ten thousand tons of TNT. Simple. Science measures all, my friend. After Trinity, driving home, Enrico, who always drives, says, would you drive, I feel a little shaky. Bernard Sullivan © 1995 |