Hacker News Reader

What a strange reaction to reading this document.

If you read the transcript, you can see that the Germans really were in awe of what was accomplished by the Americans with the time and resources available. It makes me proud to know that my nation can get pass the BS when push comes to shove and do the impossible when the impossible needs doing. As an engineer I have a profound understanding and respect for people who dare to do what others said couldn't be done. It's one of the things that motivates me to learn. For me, I think it's really cool to hear others say "Wow I didn't think you could do that!"

Except that: "Research and production took place at more than 30 sites across the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada.", and relied heavily on German-Jewish scientists who had fled the Nazi regime, as well as British research.

But it was America's unique industrial prowess that made it work, especially in time to effect the end of the war.

No less a figure than Neals Bohr believed it impossible on those grounds, said in 1939 "It can never be done unless you turn the United States into one huge factory", and when "Nicholas Baker" visited America, remarked that was indeed just what we'd done or were doing.

"The Arsenal of Democracy" was not just a slogan (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arsenal_of_Democracy).

Reply on news.ycombinator.com