Notes on Project Sundial

Introduction to Project Sundial

• Era: 1950s, during the Cold War.
• Purpose: Development of a nuclear bomb with unprecedented power, intended to destroy all of human civilization.
• Power: Equivalent to 10 billion tons of TNT.
• Scale: Pyramid of explosives 13 times taller than the Great Pyramid of Giza.
• Comparative Destruction: More powerful than all bombs dropped during WWII; would take 15 months to equal the destruction of Hiroshima if bombs were dropped every minute.

Historical Context

• Pre-1945 World:
  • Monarchs ruled, only 3% of US homes had electricity.
  • Early aviation and horse-dominated cities.
  • Low annual soldier death rates in conflicts.
• Post-WWII Changes: Rapid advancements in technology (e.g., TVs, microwaves, nuclear bombs).
• Impact of Nuclear Weapons: Shifted the understanding of war; countries without nuclear capabilities faced existential threats.

Baruch Plan and Nuclear Arms Race

• 1946 Baruch Plan: US proposed to eliminate atomic bombs and share technology globally to prevent nuclear proliferation.
• Soviet Union's Response: Detonation of their first atomic bomb in 1949 surprised the US, escalating fears and leading to an arms race.
• Nuclear Arsenal Growth:
  • 1946: 9 bombs.
  • 1950: 300 bombs.
  • 1960: 20,000 bombs.

Edward Teller and Hydrogen Bomb Development

• Edward Teller: Hungarian physicist advocating for more powerful nuclear weapons.
• Hydrogen Bomb: Required an atom bomb to trigger; significantly more powerful than fission bombs.
  • First tested in 1952, resulting in the destruction of a Pacific island.
  • Subsequent tests produced bombs 1,000 times more powerful than Hiroshima.

Project Sundial: The Ultimate Weapon

• Concept: A bomb so powerful it would eliminate the rationale for nuclear conflict.
• Specifications:
  • Estimated weight: at least 2000 tons.
  • Expected explosion power: 10 billion tons of TNT.
  • Conceptualized as a stationary 'backyard bomb'.
• Consequences of Detonation:
  • Massive fireball and heat wave extending 400 km.
  • Earthquake magnitude 9.
  • Potential for global nuclear winter.

Reactions and Ethical Considerations

• Scientific and Military Reactions:
  • Horror and disbelief from scientists and military officials at the proposed power of Sundial.
• Moral Questions:
  • Would using such a bomb leave any room for diplomatic action?
  • Risks of total annihilation based on minor conflicts.
  • Comparison to existing nuclear weapons, showing how humanity developed a "doomsday machine" rather than a single bomb.

Current Nuclear Landscape

• Modern Arsenal:
  • Peak Cold War: Over 70,000 nuclear weapons.
  • Present: Around 12,000 nuclear weapons still exist.
• Risks of New Arms Race:
  • US modernizing its arsenal with a projected $1 trillion expenditure.
  • China's increasing nuclear capabilities.

Conclusion

• Reflection on Nuclear Weapons: Humanity has not built a single doomsday bomb, but a network of weapons that pose significant threats to civilization.
• Call to Action: Consider the implications of nuclear weapons on a global scale and the responsibility of current and future generations.