1August 2, 939, out of great concern for the fate of mankind, Einstein wrote to suggest that the United States must build an atomic bomb before Germany at the request of several other scientists. A letter drafted by others and signed by Einstein wrote:
[Name] Albert Einstein (Jewish theoretical physicist)
Old grove road.
Nassau pt
Long Island Ivan Peko Nick.
August 2, 1939
Roosevelt
President of the United States
the White House
Washington D.C.
Sir:
Some recent works by E Fermi and L szilard have been conveyed to me in the form of manuscripts, which makes me expect that elemental uranium may become a new and important energy source in the near future. Some aspects of this situation seem to require the government to be vigilant and take prompt action if necessary. Therefore, I think it is my duty to draw your attention to the following facts and suggestions:
In the past four months, through the work of Iorio, Fermi and szilard in the United States, it has become possible to establish a nuclear chain reaction in a large amount of uranium, resulting in huge energy and a large number of new radium-like elements. Now it is almost certain that this will be realized in the near future.
This new phenomenon will also lead to the manufacture of bombs, and it is conceivable-though not certain-that a new type of extremely powerful bomb may be made. A bomb of this type, carried by a ship and exploded in the port, is likely to destroy the whole port and some surrounding territories. However, this kind of bomb is probably too heavy to be transported by air.
The United States has only a moderate number of depleted uranium mines. Canada and the former Czechoslovakia have some good ores, and the most important source of uranium is the Belgian Congo.
In view of this situation, you may think that it is desirable to maintain longer contact between the government and the physicist groups engaged in chain reaction research in the United States. One possible way to achieve this goal is to entrust this task to someone you trust, who may be able to serve you informally. His tasks may include the following:
(a) Contact with government departments, inform them of further development, and put forward suggestions for government action, paying special attention to obtaining uranium ore supply for the United States;
B) Accelerate the experimental work currently carried out within the budget of university laboratories, by providing funds, if necessary, through his contact with private individuals who are willing to contribute to this cause, and perhaps through the cooperation of industrial laboratories with necessary equipment.
I know that Germany has actually stopped selling uranium from the Czechoslovakia mine she took over. She should take action so early, which may be understood as the son of German Deputy Secretary of State von Weitz? Kerr is attached to the Kaiser-William Institute in Berlin, where some American work on uranium is being repeated.
You are very sincere.
[Name] Albert Einstein (Jewish theoretical physicist)
Mr. President:
Recently, Professor Fermi and Professor szilard sent us some of their research reports in the form of manuscripts. These reports make us believe that uranium will become a new and extremely important energy source in the near future. According to the current situation in some aspects, our government should be vigilant in time and take prompt action when necessary. Therefore, I think it is my duty to remind you of the following facts and my suggestions.
In the past four months, thanks to the efforts of French Aurio Curie, American Fermi and szilard, a chain nuclear reaction can be triggered in a large amount of uranium, which is promising. In this reaction, great energy can be generated, and at the same time, a large number of new radioactive elements like radium can be generated. Now we are almost certain that this reaction will be completed in the near future.
This new phenomenon also reminds us that we can make a new type of bomb. Although the grasp is very small, the idea is still credible. This powerful new bomb can be shipped to the port to detonate. It is powerful enough to blow up some areas around the whole port. Unfortunately, however, these bombs are too heavy to be transported by air.
The United States has only a moderate number of depleted uranium mines, Canada and the Czech Republic have slightly better uranium mines, and the best uranium mine is in Congo.
In this case, you may think it is best to have some close ties between government administrative agencies and American scientists who are committed to chain reaction research. The possible way to achieve this goal is to entrust this task to someone you trust, preferably someone without official status. His work can include the following:
(1) Get close to government departments and let them know about further research and development. He put forward constructive opinions on the government's decision-making, and paid special attention to "maintaining the supply of uranium mines in the United States."
(2) Accelerate the experimental work. At present, the budget of experimental work is limited to the laboratories of several universities. In order to strengthen the experimental work, you can prepare a fund (if you really need this fund). Through this staff member's relationship, you can borrow money from some private people who are willing to bear the cost first. Secondly, we will strive for the cooperation of some industrial laboratories, which all have the equipment we need.
As far as I know, the Germans have actually stopped selling uranium mined from the Czech uranium mine they took over. Their early actions may be attributed to the fact that the son of German Deputy Secretary of State von Vescherik works at the Royal William College in Berlin, where, like the United States, uranium research is being repeated.
Yours is very loyal
Albert. Albert Einstein
Roosevelt studied Einstein's letter silently in the White House office and began to feel indecisive. But the thought that Germany was stepping up the development of the atomic bomb secretly made up his mind. After a week's comprehensive consideration, he gave this letter a positive answer and issued an instruction to conduct nuclear test research.
I don't know if it is complete.