Einstein's letter helped convince the US government to speed up research into nuclear fission.
A letter written by Albert Einstein in 1939 urging President Roosevelt to prioritize nuclear research was sold at a recent auction for a staggering $3.9 million. Christie auction. This letter, which played a decisive role in the development of the atomic bomb, was originally addressed to the President of the United States, emphasizing the serious potential of nuclear weapons and the urgent need for American participation.
The Warning That Changed History
The original letter, now part of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library collection in New York City, was Einstein's attempt to warn President Roosevelt that Germany might be developing nuclear weapons. In the letter, Einstein discussed recent breakthroughs in nuclear physics, noting that uranium could become “a new and important source of energy,” and warning that this energy could be used to create “extremely powerful bombs.”
Einstein, along with fellow physicist Leo Szilard, fled Europe due to the rise of Adolf Hitler. Sensing a sense of urgency, Einstein's letter helped convince the U.S. government to accelerate research into nuclear fission, which led to the Manhattan Project and, ultimately, the development of atomic bombs.
Peter Clarnet, senior specialist in Americana, books and manuscripts at Christie's, described the letter as “one of the most influential letters in history.” Written in the summer of 1939, it set the stage for the nuclear arms race and changed the course of war and human history.
In accordance with Business InsiderThe copy up for auction was the only one in private hands, previously owned by the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, who bought it in 2002 for $2.1 million. Before that, it was part of the collection of publisher Malcolm Forbes, acquired from the estate of Leo Szilard.
Einstein's “Great Mistake”
Although Einstein played a major role in advancing the U.S. nuclear program, he later expressed deep regret. He called his involvement in the development of nuclear weapons his “one big mistake.” After the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, Einstein reportedly lamented, “Woe is me,” acknowledging the enormous human suffering caused by the weapons.