concluded, ‘. . . it forms two smaller atoms, or isotopes, and a certain, rather large amount of energy. I believe
that it would be possible for a special team with enough funding and resources to use my technique to generate a form of energy that could improve upon our steam turbines presently in use and power
industry far more efficiently and with hitherto unimagined potential.’
The room was quiet for a moment. Winston Churchill leaned back in his chair appraising Rutherford and Fortescue. ‘Professor,’ he said, ‘you offer a picture of truly
inspiring development, but have you considered other applications of this new science?’
‘Well, of course, for every application to benefit mankind there would be an alternative use. The potential for this advance to be used militarily has not escaped
us.’
Churchill nodded and took a puff on his cigar, staring at the scientists through the haze. ‘It strikes me that your work has come to fruition at a particularly auspicious
juncture.’
Asquith shifted in his seat. ‘What my esteemed colleague means,’ he said, ‘is that war is brewing in Europe. You will, of course, be aware of the arms race between
the Germans and the British Empire.’
‘I read
The Times
,’ Rutherford said flatly. ‘But the fact is,’ and he surveyed the gathering, ‘my work is nowhere near complete. When I offered
you a way to greatly enhance industry, productivity and eventually the wealth of the nation with this potential power source I was talking about a long-term commitment. I don’t imagine this
form of energy – what we call “atomic energy” – would be practicable for many years.’
‘Professor,’ Edison said, ‘may I ask how far you have got with your experiments?’
Rutherford indicated that Fortescue should speak.
The younger man glanced round at the five men and cleared his throat, his bristly moustache twitching involuntarily. ‘Our first conclusive result was achieved last month, in
early January,’ he said. He glanced at his papers. ‘Since then we have repeated the experiment thirty-four times. Our average energy production is 40,185 joules from one hundredth of a
gram of ibnium.’
The ambassador turned to his compatriot. ‘Could you translate please, Mr Edison?’
The American scientist was startled and staring sceptically at Fortescue. ‘Well,’ he said after a moment, ‘if these figures are to be believed, then this material
has an explosive power in excess of ten thousand times the power of TNT.’
‘We still have a great deal of analysis to do on these experiments, ’ Fortescue insisted and glanced at his boss.
‘We have merely scratched the surface,’ Rutherford added.
‘And what is your set-up in Manchester, professor?’ Edison asked. ‘How many in your team? Are you funded privately?’
Rutherford allowed a smile. ‘Our “team” sit before you,’ he said. And as for private funding, that is a completely alien concept to us, sir. My research is
financed solely by the University of Manchester.’
Edison raised an eyebrow and glanced first at the prime minister then at the other two men seated opposite the British scientists.
‘I thought this was the crux of the reason for this meeting,’ Rutherford added and turned to Asquith. ‘My understanding, Mr Prime Minster, was that the government
was interested in establishing a team to exploit the potential of my work, to produce a powerful new source of energy for industry.’
Asquith nodded. ‘Yes, but whatever you read in
The Times
, professor, it is in reality a mellowing of the facts. Things in Europe are in a much worse state than many
would admit. The Germans are gearing up for war, and so must we.’
‘Because of this,’ Churchill interrupted, ‘the prime minster and myself have already concluded that the direction of your research into this amazing new science
must be guided by defence principles. It must be studied as a potential weapon first, and as
that it would be possible for a special team with enough funding and resources to use my technique to generate a form of energy that could improve upon our steam turbines presently in use and power
industry far more efficiently and with hitherto unimagined potential.’
The room was quiet for a moment. Winston Churchill leaned back in his chair appraising Rutherford and Fortescue. ‘Professor,’ he said, ‘you offer a picture of truly
inspiring development, but have you considered other applications of this new science?’
‘Well, of course, for every application to benefit mankind there would be an alternative use. The potential for this advance to be used militarily has not escaped
us.’
Churchill nodded and took a puff on his cigar, staring at the scientists through the haze. ‘It strikes me that your work has come to fruition at a particularly auspicious
juncture.’
Asquith shifted in his seat. ‘What my esteemed colleague means,’ he said, ‘is that war is brewing in Europe. You will, of course, be aware of the arms race between
the Germans and the British Empire.’
‘I read
The Times
,’ Rutherford said flatly. ‘But the fact is,’ and he surveyed the gathering, ‘my work is nowhere near complete. When I offered
you a way to greatly enhance industry, productivity and eventually the wealth of the nation with this potential power source I was talking about a long-term commitment. I don’t imagine this
form of energy – what we call “atomic energy” – would be practicable for many years.’
‘Professor,’ Edison said, ‘may I ask how far you have got with your experiments?’
Rutherford indicated that Fortescue should speak.
The younger man glanced round at the five men and cleared his throat, his bristly moustache twitching involuntarily. ‘Our first conclusive result was achieved last month, in
early January,’ he said. He glanced at his papers. ‘Since then we have repeated the experiment thirty-four times. Our average energy production is 40,185 joules from one hundredth of a
gram of ibnium.’
The ambassador turned to his compatriot. ‘Could you translate please, Mr Edison?’
The American scientist was startled and staring sceptically at Fortescue. ‘Well,’ he said after a moment, ‘if these figures are to be believed, then this material
has an explosive power in excess of ten thousand times the power of TNT.’
‘We still have a great deal of analysis to do on these experiments, ’ Fortescue insisted and glanced at his boss.
‘We have merely scratched the surface,’ Rutherford added.
‘And what is your set-up in Manchester, professor?’ Edison asked. ‘How many in your team? Are you funded privately?’
Rutherford allowed a smile. ‘Our “team” sit before you,’ he said. And as for private funding, that is a completely alien concept to us, sir. My research is
financed solely by the University of Manchester.’
Edison raised an eyebrow and glanced first at the prime minister then at the other two men seated opposite the British scientists.
‘I thought this was the crux of the reason for this meeting,’ Rutherford added and turned to Asquith. ‘My understanding, Mr Prime Minster, was that the government
was interested in establishing a team to exploit the potential of my work, to produce a powerful new source of energy for industry.’
Asquith nodded. ‘Yes, but whatever you read in
The Times
, professor, it is in reality a mellowing of the facts. Things in Europe are in a much worse state than many
would admit. The Germans are gearing up for war, and so must we.’
‘Because of this,’ Churchill interrupted, ‘the prime minster and myself have already concluded that the direction of your research into this amazing new science
must be guided by defence principles. It must be studied as a potential weapon first, and as
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