Regarding the WWII Meeting of Bohr & Heisenberg

HarlanC writes: "The NY Times has an article (registration required) discussing the famous meeting between Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg in Copenhagen in 1941. The conclusion is that Heisenberg revealed to Bohr the existance of a Nazi atomic program in an attempt to obtain assistance from Bohr. The Times of London article is here (long registration process required)" The play "Copenhagen" was based on a fictionalization of this meeting, it was much better than "Proof", I assure you.

Comments

Heisenberg

[Azog]

Many historians have praised the historical studies that Mr. Frayn undertook before writing the play. Still, in contrast to the complex Heisenberg of the play, the physicist in reality may have been easier to understand, Dr. Bernstein said.

Hmmm. So... historians are uncertain of Heisenberg's principles.

heh heh heh.

Thank goodness Bohr did not do it

[Hairy_Potter]

Otherwise, the world would be facing a unified Europe, ruled by faceless bureaucrats headquartered in a continental European country, and America would be the only country that could go toe to toe with them.

Uncertainty

[daeley]

Of course, once they figured out they were in Copenhagen, it was impossible to determine what went on. Doesn't make for a very thrilling movie, either.

Re:NYT article for those that arent registered..

[s20451]

Of course. The Americans shouldn't have developed nuclear weapons even though they had the technology to do so, and their rivals had active weapons programs. Then, once available, they shouldn't have used them, even though their use was not outside the norms of war at the time, and even though they brought the war to a prompt end. America should destroy its remaining weapons, and then there will be rainbows and bread and roses, and all of humanity can gather around the campfire to smoke pot and sing folk songs.

War is hell, period. But it's a fact of life. Get over it.

Re:The secret contents of the letter

[Russ Steffen]

No, I'm pretty sure it said "I send you this letter to have your advice.

Re:The secret contents of the letter

[rlp]

I managed to get a transcript of the letter from Bohr to Heisenberg, here it is:

Dear Werner,
Ever since your last visit, I haven't seen my cat, Fluffy. You haven't seen her, have you?
Sincerely,
Neils

and the reply was:

Neils,

I don't have her, though you might want to contact
Schrodinger. Not sure if she's still alive.

Yours truly,

Werner