Did John Wheeler's Lost FBI File Reveal Secrets of the H-Bomb?

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The discussion centers on John Wheeler's involvement with hydrogen bomb secrets and the implications of lost classified materials during the Manhattan Project. Wheeler's reflections on the incident, particularly in his book "Geons, Black Holes & Quantum Foam," highlight the loss of a report detailing lithium-6's use in hydrogen bombs, which coincided with the Soviets' advancements in the same area. The conversation also references a New York Times article that explores how the Soviet Union acquired sensitive information during the Manhattan Project, emphasizing the broader context of espionage and security lapses in the early Cold War era. The narrative underscores the significance of these events in understanding the complexities of nuclear secrecy and international relations during that period.
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Interesting story, isn't it? I mean, who hasn't lost things with never an explanation? But hydrogen bomb secrets -- in 1953? That takes the cake.

Wheeler has a brief discussion of this episode in his book "Geons, Black Holes & Quantum Foam." There he writes that the section of the report he had with him (and lost) was concerned with use of lithium-6 in the hydrogen bombs. He says we later learned that the Soviets already were on the same tack.
 

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