Also terrifying, because there were a number of tests actually conducted to see if the idea might work. Project Gnome attempted to created energy by bombing underground aquifers. Project Sedan was to just keep bombing parts of America, until we figured out how big a crater each bomb would make. Project Rulison and Project Gasbuggy were an attempt to free natural gas with nuclear explosions. In total, over twenty-five different tests were conducted all over the nation.

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Had any of these been particularly successful, there were plans to cut paths through California mountain ranges with nuclear bombs, and carve ditches into deserts. But the explosions were found to be impractical construction aids, and so many members of the public objected to them that the idea was finally discarded. So much for giving peace a chance.

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Top Image: National Nuclear Security Administration

Via CDDC.