Here's a film produced by the US military in 1960 to assuage fears about accidental nuclear explosions (that occur when plane's carrying nuclear bombs crash). It has some great soundbites - that classic 1950's v/o speaking very seriously and ominously, firetrucks racing about, old laboratories, mushroom clouds. I am posting this particular video because at about 06:50 there is an animated sequence about what happens within the nucleus during a nuclear explosion, etc. I thought it might be useful for Lauren's segment.

Enjoy :)

Here is my rather hasty log of the 20 minute clip. I will also post it on our google docs.

http://www.archive.org/details/StaySafe1960

TITLE: Stay Safe, Stay Strong

SUMMARY: Instructional film on nuclear weapons for U.S. Air Force personnel. This part-animated film includes an explanation of nuclear physics; footage of atmospheric and underground testing; and a bomber making a crash landing. Lots of talk about planes carrying bombs inadvertently dropping, crashing etc.

“For official use only” inter-title.

V/O “this, our country, could be in danger of nuclear attack…”

00:51 – mushroom cloud

02:28 – Inter-title: “Stay Safe, Stay Strong: the truth about nuclear weapons

3:57 – “In this ultra modern laboratory work scientists in and out of uniform” (‘50s buildings, writing on chalk board “working on nuclear physics, which derives from einstein’s equation of mass to energy (equation on board)

05:38-6.50 – Prof in classroom describing what causes an explosion (he’s very serious)

6.50 – 11.29 – Animation of what happens within the atom to cause nuclear reaction, radiation (first 2 minutes best)

13.30 – planes dropping bombs on a field

14.30 – fire explosions

18.45 – 19:00 – V/o These are the facts, the facts that dispel the fearsome myths about nuclear accidents

20:25 – alarms, fire trucks, ambulance, sirens

21:50 – these are the facts that you the American people need to stay safe and strong

22:20 – you and your family can live free of the fear of nuclear accidents