34 min listen
Into the Black Lair: V2 Rocket (Part 2)
Into the Black Lair: V2 Rocket (Part 2)
ratings:
Length:
38 minutes
Released:
Feb 16, 2024
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
In the 1920s, Germany’s Society for Spaceship Travel boasted some of the sharpest scientific minds – like the incandescently brilliant young Wernher von Braun. But it had very little money, and progress was slow.
Then, in 1932, the army made a proposal: it would fund more serious research if the enthusiasts at the Society would develop a rocket weapon.
Despite a string of failures to launch, von Braun was able to convince key powerbrokers in Nazi Germany that they couldn’t afford to ignore rocket technology. How did he do it? And what happened when the murderous Heinrich Himmler made a play for the rocket program?
For a full list of sources for this episode, visit timharford.com.
Do you have a question for Tim? Send it to tales@pushkin.fm and we'll do our best to answer it in a Q&A episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Then, in 1932, the army made a proposal: it would fund more serious research if the enthusiasts at the Society would develop a rocket weapon.
Despite a string of failures to launch, von Braun was able to convince key powerbrokers in Nazi Germany that they couldn’t afford to ignore rocket technology. How did he do it? And what happened when the murderous Heinrich Himmler made a play for the rocket program?
For a full list of sources for this episode, visit timharford.com.
Do you have a question for Tim? Send it to tales@pushkin.fm and we'll do our best to answer it in a Q&A episode.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Released:
Feb 16, 2024
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (100)
The Curse of Knowledge Meets The Valley of Death: How assuming others understand exactly what we are thinking gets people killed. by Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford