Into the Black Lair: V2 Rocket (Part 2)

2024/2/16

Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford

Tim Harford

本集讲述了纳粹德国V2火箭计划的起源和发展，重点关注了科学家沃纳·冯·布劳恩在其中扮演的关键角色。节目追溯了冯·布劳恩从早期对太空探索的热情到参与军事火箭研发的转变过程，以及他在获得资金、应对技术挑战和与纳粹高层周旋方面的策略。节目还探讨了V2火箭计划的巨大规模和成本，以及其对德国资源和社会的影响。此外，节目还描述了纳粹党内权力斗争如何影响V2火箭计划，以及冯·布劳恩如何在复杂的政治环境中生存。节目详细介绍了冯·布劳恩和多恩伯格如何通过巧妙的策略和宣传来获得纳粹政权的资金支持，以及他们如何应对火箭研发过程中遇到的技术难题。节目还揭示了纳粹政权内部权力斗争的残酷性，以及冯·布劳恩如何在希姆莱等纳粹高层的威胁下保护自己和项目。节目最后还探讨了大型项目管理中的常见问题，例如乐观偏差和成本超支，以及这些问题如何影响V2火箭计划。

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In the 1920s, Germany's Society for Spaceship Travel lacked funds but boasted brilliant minds like Wernher von Braun. In 1932, the German army proposed funding more serious research if the Society developed a rocket weapon. Despite initial failures, von Braun convinced key Nazi figures of the potential of rocket technology.

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In the 1920s, Germany’s Society for Spaceship Travel boasted some of the sharpest scientific minds – like the incandescently brilliant young Wernher von Braun. But it had very little money, and progress was slow.

Then, in 1932, the army made a proposal: it would fund more serious research if the enthusiasts at the Society would develop a rocket weapon.

Despite a string of failures to launch, von Braun was able to convince key powerbrokers in Nazi Germany that they couldn’t afford to ignore rocket technology. How did he do it? And what happened when the murderous Heinrich Himmler made a play for the rocket program?

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Into the Black Lair: V2 Rocket (Part 2) 38:24 Share

Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford

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Into the Black Lair: V2 Rocket (Part 2)