Nuclear Sideshows: The Most Powerful Atomic Bombs

[@RojoFern]

And to think I intended this to be a 10 minute video... But yeah, this video really became something else. What was originally just supposed to be a short look at some big fission bombs turned into an analysis of the muddled and murky world of nuclear weapons terminology, for better or for worse. With that in mind, there are a couple things I feel could use some clarification, and instead of trying to shove it all into an already fairly long (and overdue at this point) video, let this comment serve as a little addendum to it. 1. I know there are going to be those of you who take issue with how often and seemingly loosely I throw around the term "thermonuclear". I use it on three separate weapon designs, when typically only one of them is associated with it. Sloika can really only loosely be considered thermonuclear, and under the traditional definition of the word, the Ulam fission-fission concept is nonsense (since thermonuclear implies fusion reactions taking place). My reasoning for using the term with the latter is that, while not initiating reactions that require thermonuclear conditions to take place (since fission can be sustained under any conditions as long as a critical mass is achieved), the fission-fission design nonetheless generates thermonuclear conditions that sustain far more fission reactions than conventional explosives otherwise would have been able to. Perhaps this is stretching it too far? I don't know, I'll let you judge me on that... 2. TX-15, it's a doozy. I suppose I should first put it out there that the majority of sources and people I've talked to (people that know a whole lot more about nuclear weapons than I do) do consider the TX-15 to be an H-bomb. I think notably Chuck Hansen (who if you don't know is basically the Thomas Grazulis or David Fletcher of American nuclear weapons, if you happen to be a tornado and/or armored vehicle enthusiast respectively) directly references the TX-15 as offering "the prospect of a family of lightweight hydrogen weapons" in The Secret History. My inclusion of the TX-15 in the video really boils down to presenting the potential that its fusion fuel was merely for boosting (which is a possibility), having a spring board to talk about the Ulam fission-fission design, and mostly just wanting to talk about the TX-15 and Castle Nectar, considering how much the other Castle tests dominate the conversation. Even if it is a hydrogen bomb, it's still a damn interesting and unique concept that at the very least differed from the traditional Teller-Ulam design and was intended primarily to be a fission bomb. Alright, that's enough extra rambling. As always, if you find any goofs, gaffes, or screw ups leave a reply so others and myself know about it.

[@dannymac6368]

Thank you! So excited to watch! Always such a happy moment every time you upload something new. 🤗 Take care!

[@cornellkirk8946]

Great video but I’m almost certain the first bomb was an implosion type, the gadget tested at Nevada, the first nuclear bomb was a plutonium implosion type. Only the first deployed in combat was a gun type (little boy)

[@RojoFern]

This is correct, the first nuclear physics package to actually be assembled and tested was a plutonium implosion bomb. However, the uranium gun-type bomb predates it as a concept, hence "first conceived". The only reason a gun-type bomb wasn't tested was because it was basically guaranteed to work, as well as guaranteed not to work if plutonium was used as the fuel.

[@cornellkirk8946]

@@RojoFern thanks for that, fantastic video by the way! 👌

[@ynptrip]

Not sure if you were making a joke, but the word for a failure is "fizzle" not "fissile"

[@Nefville]

I just have to say this real quick, your full-length videos are some of if not the best I've seen on this platform in the 17 years I've been watching. I've seen tens of thousands of videos and what you're doing should win awards (and subscribers). If you can keep this up I think like the Orange Herald, this channel is going to be big.

[@cornellkirk8946]

I agree

[@WalkerWeathers]

Couldn’t have said it better myself. I very rarely rewatch videos or reread books simply because I enjoy them, but these are some of the select few that make that list.

[@joshfrommilan6130]

Took the words right out of my mouth. Seriously, I’ve been consuming long-form content for over a decade at this point. The pacing, scripting, music choice, all have been fantastically put together. I wasn’t before writing this, but I’m subscribing, and I sincerely hope more people are able to find this channel.

[@Nefville]

@@joshfrommilan6130 Check out his earlier one on mushroom clouds. I think I can almost definitively say that's the best video on this platform. Or at least I cannot remember a better one. This guy is so good.

[@JohnCompton1]

ditto kiddo

[@gizmo709]

Castle Nectar being revealed as the WTFBOOM video at the end was an incredible gut punch to cap this video off. Pure kino

[@supertornadogun1690]

Pretty sure that's actually Redwing Navajo, look it up

[@plasticlemmon3288]

"Now I am become family guy, the funniest of moments." -J. Robert Oppenheimer

[@jmulnick]

Funniest thing I have ever seen today 😂😂😂😂

[@tomarmadiyer2698]

Bobby Oppy was a hoot at parties

[@DominicSeanMcCann]

Fuch's did a mean tango. Must've been fun at Los Alamo's ....​@@tomarmadiyer2698

[@thekeithfulbarrums]

British Cold War military engineering was always a cocktail of ‘interesting’ names and even more ‘interesting’ designs. It’s how we ended up fielding an interceptor that could break the sound barrier climbing vertically, but couldn’t intercept a bomber more than 150 Nm away. Brilliant video as always, Mr Fern. I really liked the detail about the different nuclear mechanisms.

[@iitzfizz]

I quite like Yellow Sun, I mean you know exactly what you're getting there; no doubting lol

[@gianthairypickle7545]

This channel and the editing and effort you put into your content inspires me, thank you! I feel like the videos you make would be a kin to something I’d create if I were a KZbinr much love ❤️

[@n9go]

do you think oppenheimer would have liked lethal company

[@RojoFern]

oppenheimer invented the infinite item glitch

[@bigman271]

now i am become lethal, destroyer of companies

[@Indrid__Cold]

As a nuclear weapons expert with over five decades of experience, I found this video to be exceptionally informative and engaging. The presenter's deep knowledge of the subject matter was evident, and their ability to convey complex concepts in a clear and compelling manner was truly impressive. It is rare to encounter individuals who possess such a profound understanding of this specialized field, combined with the exceptional communication skills necessary to effectively convey the awe-inspiring nature of the topic. I extend my sincere compliments to the presenter for their outstanding work.

[@johndawson6057]

Amateur😂 I am also a nuclear weapons expert with over 500 years of experience and I also find this video to be correct.

[@leoa4c]

Perhaps you can help me, then :) How is a plutonium core physically compressed? Is it because there are voids in the casting, or are the chemical explosives actually strong enough to overcome the atoms repelling force? Many thanks in advance.

[@ZombieLincoln666]

@@leoa4cThey use shaped ‘lenses’ that surround the plutonium-gallium alloy pit and high explosives. The pit itself is often hollow, and deuterium+tritium may be injected into the cavity to increase yield

[@ZombieLincoln666]

Oak Ridge?

[@leoa4c]

@@ZombieLincoln666 So, you are saying that there is an "empty" space between the plutonium alloy and the initiator. I now remember having seen diagrams where there was a hollow cavity marked as "vacuum" at the center of the core, in between the plutonium and the initiator. At the time, I thought that such "empty" space was necessary for the initiator, for whatever reason. But what you're saying makes sense. One builds the plutonium-gallium alloy with a void at the center of it. Upon implosion, the plutonium goes supercritical, and once the initiator gives its burst of neutrons, prompt-criticality is achieved, and the rest is history. Is that correct, or does the plutonium itself gets to prompt-criticality before the initiator "bursts"? If deuterium and/or tritium is added won't the cavity at the center of the core have to be enlarged? Edit: Thank you very much for helping me understand this feature of the implosion design.

[@katiwithoutthee]

multiple times in this video where your sound mixing was so good i took an airpod out to see if it was a plane flying low over my house or my roommate was suddenly playing loud drums or something, instant subscribe

[@therealchayd]

That got me too! I live right near a major flightpath and was thinking "This video has gone very quiet all of a sudden, but at least that plane flying overhead has filled the silence somewhat" lol

[@bksl09]

This being the backstory to one of the OG youtube memes was unexpected but lovely to witness

[@Joogoo96]

Fern, you're like the SummoningSalt of nukes and I'm here for it.

[@Tsundereviol3nce1440]

I feel like EmpLemon is a more apt comparison given his origins in ytp

[@andrewasfendis7407]

Big words. And I think I agree.

[@andrewasfendis7407]

The Summoning Salt bit I mean.

[@eilistraeepreistess]

Jon Bois more like

[@niehlsbohr]

Wow, you actually got the chemistry right, so few science communicators do. Breaking chemical bonds requires energy and forming new, more stable, lower potential energy bonds releases energy. As a chem professor, it's always bugged the hell out of me, when folks say breaking bonds releases energy. Thank you!

[@bryantchacko2861]

thank you niehls bohr, creator of the bohr model of the atom

[@leoa4c]

Is that always, necessarily, the case? Aren't there exceptions?

[@leoa4c]

Great music taste. It really helps the flow of the documentary.

[@masaharumorimoto4761]

The alogrithim is starting to know what I like, glad this got recommended, subbed :)

[@aadall0451]

Ok, after this one I can clearly say that you're one of my favourite video-essayist on the platform. Your editing, pacing and visuals are some of the best someone can find here. I wish you all the best so that you can keep up with the making of other cool content!

[@mekafinchi]

I absolutely love the way this is presented. I expected to be listening to this like I do most video essays, but I was simply captivated, and couldn't look away

[@daveminion6209]

probably one of the best most concise, historical explanations of the development of sophisticated "MOABs", lol

[@ButtersTheGreat1]

I love that you took those lazy comparison videos that would clutter up everyones recommended feed for years and put the same amount of work into it making a video Essay like a Jon Bois or a EMP Lemon. Have to confess avoided your videos for a bit thinking they were just like those comparison videos. So glad I clicked it.

[@randomknowledgeperson2872]

PLEASE make a video about volcano sizes. i love volcanos and would love to see a video about the biggest eruptions in history told in your style :) Edit: Our prayers have been answered!

[@danieldoesdumbstuff]

I fux with this

[@dutchess406]

Agreed

[@hithedragon7842]

Ever since I first watched the tornado and mushroom cloud videos, I've hoped for a similar one about volcanoes. The way he describes these sorts of things in terms of scale is just perfect.

[@grimmurr7078]

This would fit perfectly

[@mikewhiskey6796]

It has been done

[@Vernoypottery]

Dude I’ve come back to this video probably 10 times now. Your essays are some of the best content I’ve ever seen on this platform.

[@radioaktiv2531]

I'm a nuclear energy nerd and I watched this because it interests me. What I didn't expect was the absolutely fantastic editing and style of this video.

[@Error422win]

Based on your PFP and your username, I can see that

[@KaberUllapool]

Dude your videos are the only videos I can watch **repeatedly**. Keep it up.

[@gbb3525]

You're funny, but not annoying in the same way that other creators come off in videos like this

[@DesertPunks]

This is quickly becoming my favorite channel, as a cold war enthusiast and a gmod player your channel is really great. Also the use of Boards of Canada was a nice touch. Cheers.

[@molliemicrobe]

I was just rewatching your Mushroom Clouds video like 2 days ago! It always gives me such existential dread. Excellent timing

[@colinbarnard6512]

New Member here: what the gentleman said below, I completely agree. Stylist, informative, even for people with a good knowledge of the subject. Professional, and all-and-all....pretty damn good! Thank you! ....and, P.S.: I really appreciate 'Sky' in the soundtrack.

[@FOWBOWZ]

Your videos got a special quality about them and I'm all here for it. I love your work, man.

[@Lincento53]

Great video! Superb choice of music🎶. It was fun to watch 😄

[@JasonLambek]

Fantastic production. I've consumed about all nuclear weaponry content I thought there was here in the YT universe. This one takes the (layer) cake. Many thanks for even creating it.

[@tommoffitt4813]

Good news: great video! Bad news: I'm gonna need you to keep making these

[@gloriousmuffin6160]

Ever since your video on mushroom clouds, i have been waiting to see another project like it. this one did not let me down, keep up the awesome work and effort brother!

[@Alfalfa_Male]

Honestly, you're such an insanely underrated channel

[@svahn1]

I'm so glad I decided to turn on notifications when I found one of your other long videos. It's not often I get to see something of such high quality so soon after it's uploaded, especially not from a smaller creator.

[@sqwatchman53]

Love the tistic analysis… I’m similarly afflicted.

[@darksu6947]

You guys got the 'tism eh? Word bird, me too! 😁

[@stockstreamtwitch]

I'm about halfway through this and this is some awesome work you've done. Love the pacing, editing, and organization. I appreciate the great content! 💪

[@Interloper-In-The-Flesh]

Beautiful stuff, peak YT kino. The music really feels right, the composition is beautiful, and your jokes aren't too much, and you back them up with data. Absolutely going to watch everything you have, just for the beauty this is.

[@zoinksmydood]

Lovely video. You really have a talent for weaving together a narrative; you add an almost cinematic touch to them *cough (the sequence at 30:00) cough*. Keep at it!

[@donutgaming88]

i made a clip but i would like to know the song name

[@BrickfallOfficial]

My favourite part of your videos is all the cool music i end up adding to my spotify playlists

[@VERIFIED-DEITY]

Most certainly one of the best to ever do it, every single piece of long form content to come from this channel is an absolute masterclass Edit: a word

[@TheClumsyFairy]

OH MY GOD, you ACTUALLY got the gun type right.. Damn that's rare.. VERY WELL DONE, have my sub good sir!!

[@patrickw9520]

Def some fine work in everything. The BG music is just cheesy enough but subtle enough, it doesnt distract.

[@lptotheskull]

43:32 BOC JUMPSCARE JESUS I've left like 15 of these comments on various videos at this point but I will NEVER stop pointing out Boards of Canada when I hear it. The world must know. Also, banger video. Really cool explanations and editing style and all that jazz.

[@mattcarafa210]

your presentation of the complicated workings of big fusion bombs is awesome. loved the video, right up there with trinity and beyond

[@iitzfizz]

I was just going to say how have I never seen this video before since I've watched just about everything youtube has to offer on the subject of atomic/hydrogen bombs then I saw it was just uploaded 1 day ago. Than you!! I now have something to watch!! Really enjoyed your mushroom cloud video.

[@andrewasfendis7407]

Trinity and Beyond music was fantastic, like a character. The music in this video is similarly fantastic. So different and entertaining. Great script too. Really well done.

[@the-core-experience]

Hello, a low cut at 80Hz and compression for your voice will be great! The music and your voice sometimes are poorly mixed. if u do the aforementioned steps u can reliably gauge the loudness with loudness meter in your editing software. P.S if you use audacity there are live effects now so u dont have to do post processing on your voice clips which are always a headache. Nice video btw, i rly liked the mushroom cloud one, and was surprised when i see another vid of yours in my feed.

[@poindextertunes]

😂

[@AlaskyMix]

I just gotta say, as someone who has been following your channel for a couple months after I got recommended your video on tornadoes. Your production quality and choice of music is fucking top tier, the topics you choose for the videos are also great because they are all things that I find very interesting. Thank you for making such awesome and high quality content, keep it up!

[@01_SPACE_C0WB0Y]

This is one of the greatest videos I have ever seen. The editing and use of music and media is perfect

[@hygri]

That was fascinating, ta. Also your musical selection is exquisite.

[@isobarkley]

the editing of this video is absolute comedy. instant sub

[@mikejosef2470]

I've watched this four times and the mushroom cloud one three times and I have to say your style is unique. Your choice of musical accompaniment is perfect... "Friends and Neighbours" before Castle Bravo... how do you do it? I mean, that was absolutely perfect. I've always been interested, actually more like obsessed, with nuclear weapons, and your videos are almost an expression of that obsession, in a way that I am incapable of. They are almost a cathartic experience for me and I am eternally grateful for them.

[@hunterparke9059]

My man, your videos are some of the jammiest and most well done pieces of education I have seen, and this stuff is all I watch because I’m a massive dork, thanks for making these:)

[@DavidtheDoom]

Your channel is seriously underrated and underexposed. The delivery is hilarious with great delivery as well as very in-depth and well researched. I hope you reach a wider audience with your niche topics! :)

[@Rikko343]

I realy have to say Rojo, your videos are a blast. They are very well made, the animations are simple but so easy to understand and when you are listening you realize that you defenetly made your homework. I love you atom Videos and i hope you keep making them, or maybe make somem in that style on other physics related themes. keep your good work up, i will be here watching.

[@Dr_Petey_Wheatstraw]

The research, editing, storytelling, graphics, and footage are fantastic. Bravo, keep doing great work.

[@shadyexists8406]

More like this please 🥺 Such a good video I love the graphics and music used too

[@jashbeptic]

These are solid S-tier videos like a beautiful mix of Ahoy style visuals and nuclear science. Headphones recommended, that beginning use of stereo was *chefs kiss*

[@bradboardwell8295]

One of.... if not, the best production videos on atomic and hydrogen bombs that I've ever seen.!!!!! The music absolutely makes it. You Sir, have created a masterpiece, and earned a new subscriber 👍🏼💪🏻

[@superking208]

Just watched the tornado video, the mushroom cloud video, and then this absolute masterpiece all in a row. You're a fantastic video essayist, and I'm now subscribed and psyched for the future of the channel! (Also, do you consider Jon Bois an inspiration? Your style reminds me of his, and I mean that as the highest of compliments.)

[@RojoFern]

Jon has 100% been an inspiration of mine, and he is probably the single biggest reason as to why I fell in love with 70/80s library music

[@dale116dot7]

I am impressed. You got the shapes of the materials right in the gun weapon, most people get it backwards. And you didn’t forget Urchin in gadget.

[@Hanna_Stefanowska]

I've said this before, but fantastic video!! I subscribed after you posted the tornado one. Love your content

[@bksl09]

29:50 is a really neat moment. Excellent use of music and video

[@aeco44]

These videos are incredible. Looking forward to finish it!

[@zikashauna4928]

This video was so good, I love your long form content! You deserve so many more subscribers and views, your work is fantastic! I hope your channel explodes (har har) with viewership! Also thanks for the inclusion of the Saturn V, we space nerds love that stuff!

[@jett_phil]

You channel doesn't just deserve more views, it NEEDS more views. Awesome video

[@mrtux5647]

You are quickly becoming my favorite youtuber you bring a very refreshing style to your long length videos keep up the amazing work it will pay off

[@DalloGoji89]

19:11 - 19:32 I have just now noticed a low pitched Godzilla(2014) atomic breath charge.

[@ericanderson2987]

A great, Informative and FUNNY Nuclear Weapons Video! Although we may NEVER know, I believe I Read/Saw that the USSR had a NASTY 100 MT H-bomb that Used 2 750 KT Primaries. The Device was Shelved, but Components were Re-used for Tsar Bomba and its "only" 50-7 MT Yield.

[@markos.5539]

This is the best video I've seen this month. Nebula-like quality. Keep it up!

[@WarlordEnthusiast]

This video has no reason to be this good, and yet it is. Subscribed.

[@chesspiece81]

Wow, just wow. This is the best atomic upload I've seen. I am a new subscriber and I hope the channel has lots of uploads of this caliber.

[@ratehrichmond8867]

This guy deserves more subscribers. Great video.

[@rjamesm]

Fantastic video, so well done, please give us more!

[@eltostado3304]

Oh yeah this videos going places. Amazingly made and written. Hope it blows up (in views ofc)

[@davtheslav7861]

First time ive seen your channel. Production quality earned an instant like and subscription.

[@LrB69]

Bro this actually goes hard asf

[@mrtno4582]

Attemping to manifest the amount of subs this guy deserves.

[@Firealone9]

You earned a subscriber here. I love how when most KZbinrs talk about nuclear weapons the videos are always eerie, scary, or awe inspiring, while this video has SpongeBob memes and quirky music. I love it. You breathe allot of personality into these monstrous weapons of mass destruction. I'm literally rooting for the Atomic bomb to succeed over Hydrogen because you made it sound like a cute underdog. 😂 Very informative too. Great content.

[@JohnnyIrish556]

DUUUUUUDE!!!! Hot damn, your video has it all: facts, presented in a way so that even people like myself could understand what you were talking about; a narration that was definitely entertaining; and some fine music to top it all off! You Sir, are a real pro at what you're doing! (I can't understand why this channel has only a little under 24K subscribers..) Subscription earned! (or as that black dude in Rick and Morty would say: MY MAN! )

[@philidor9657]

Great video. Really well done and the presentation and tone was fantastic throughout.

[@wingit4316]

You're a really wonderful presenter. Congratulations on the fantastic video. You deserve recognition, and with presenting skills like yours, you're sure to get it soon

[@Nawakooo0]

Another amazing video! I really like your story-telling style, taking things slower and giving us time to really immerse ourselves. Keep going dude!

[@AmateurDeutscher]

I gotta ask, where did you find that photo of the Trinity cloud at 17:18? I’ve never seen that stage of the cloud development before, especially in a photo that clear.

[@RojoFern]

I forget exactly where online I snagged the photo from as it's been a while, but I know Alex Wellerstein wrote an article for his blog discussing the various images taken of Trinity which included several other mid-to-late stage photos of the cloud which he says were from the Los Alamos photo archive. One of those photos is very similar to this one (give or take a minute between captures), and I remember that photo leading me to this one via image search.

[@RojoFern]

Link to the article, btw: blog.nuclearsecrecy.com/2012/03/30/trinitys-cloud-1945/

[@AmateurDeutscher]

Many thanks! Managed to find it. Big fan of these nuclear history deep dives. Keep up the great work!

[@PonteBata]

Probably one of the best videos about A-bombs I've ever seen here. Thanks algorythm

[@andrewdrednaught]

This is a lot of research! Well done, sir.

[@tobihighvoltage]

Another banger. Thanks for all the effort you put into these, it really shows and always makes me look forward to watching.

[@jean-lucpicard8384]

Truly top tier presentation, bravo

[@nickthompson9697]

Subscribed. Can't believe I haven't checked out this channel yet.

[@Melody_Raventress]

You just won yourself a subscriber! I'm always looking for channels covering nuclear topics/history intelligently. Plus you even covered my favorite nuclear weapon design. Also it's a "fizzle" not a "fissile"

[@mikado4786]

In all the videos in all the channels I watch in all the world, you had to come into my feed. Please keep producing these beautiful and mildly informative video essays. You are one of the most talented fellows on the platform. Keep up the good work.

[@supremefirebird]

I don't know if you'll end up reading this, but I saw your Tornado video and it intrigued me enough to subscribe and check out all your other videos. Seeing your production quality, editing skills, narration, and writing improve over the last 3 videos has been absolutely amazing and I genuinely hope you become one of the "big ones" in "guy talks about something obscure but its super interesting" genre. Honestly, I think you will if you keep up with it. I for one, will watch all your videos and be enthralled, I assure you. Either way, you should be proud of how well you make videos. It is very good. I also showed your videos to my mother; she loves them and hopes you do more.

[@ohdahngboi_2237]

This channel is destined for greatness

[@shanelennon7397]

nice use of olson at the end. one of my favourite pieces of music

[@interstellarsurfer]

Most underrated creator on KZbin.

[@tayvanrope9021]

I loved watching this. Great editing. Love it.

[@JonathanGeier]

This is so good! I learned many things that i didn't know!!!! Please make more!

[@TheBinarygenius]

Loved and subbed, excellent content but I really hate you because now I have to binge watch all your other videos 😁 great work and a very good style of narration, I award you a big POB (Pat On the Back).

[@matheusvieira9736]

Pls make a video showing the evolution of nuclear bombs. Ur documentaries are awesome

[@williamkane]

I had to listen twice at 43:33, but that is "Olson" from Boards of Canada for sure - you should have included more tracks from them, ideally from their latest album, named "Tomorrow's Harvest", that entire album is quite different from their usual tunes - it definitely has that "post-apocalypse, WW3 nuclear-annihilation" vibe. I applaud you on your great music taste regardless, but one thing you missed out on was the Shrimp "accident" - positioning yourself for a theoretical 2-5 MT blast and ending up at over 15 MT for sure was not what they wanted, and they ended up contaminating 23 crew on the "Daigo Fukuryū Maru" shipping vessel alongside others, by nuclear fallout raining down on the vessels. Many of the crews did not make it in the long term, due to radiation-induced cancer and whatnot. Otherwise, a flawless video and a great refresher on my knowledge of the first nuclear bombs / devices. - William 👍♥

[@sulfie46]

Stellar presentation! Looking forward to more content if you've got plans.

[@suny9144]

Man you deserve a million plus subscribers absolutely stunning work and I can only imagine how much work it takes good job man