Albert Einstein’s 1939 atomic bomb warning letter sold for ₹32.7 crore at auction | Trending

A copy of a letter signed Albert Einstein, which played a key role in the development of the first atomic bomb, was recently sold for $3.9 million (approximately ₹32.7 crore) at a Chrie’s auction. The letter, originally addressed to US president Franklin D Roosevelt in 1939, warned of the potential for nuclear weapons and urged the US to begin its own research, ultimately leading to the creation of the atomic bomb during World War II. ₹32.7 crore at auction.(Pixabay)” title=”Einstein’s 1939 letter, warning of nuclear weapons, sold for ₹32.7 crore at auction.(Pixabay)” /> ₹32.7 crore at auction.(Pixabay)” title=”Einstein’s 1939 letter, warning of nuclear weapons, sold for ₹32.7 crore at auction.(Pixabay)” /> Einstein’s 1939 letter, warning of nuclear weapons, sold for ₹32.7 crore at auction.(Pixabay) (Also read: Rare ceramic goat made King Charles 55 years ago fetches ₹9 lakh at auction) A warning that changed horyThe original letter, which is part of the Franklin D Roosevelt Library’s collection in New York, was Einstein’s attempt to alert President Roosevelt to the possibility that Germany could be working on nuclear weapons. In the letter, Einstein highlighted recent advancements in nuclear physics, stating that uranium could be turned into “a new and important source of energy”. He warned that this energy could be used to create “extremely powerful bombs”. Einstein, who had fled Europe with fellow physic Leo Szilard due to Adolf Hitler’s rise to power, felt the urgency to act. His letter helped persuade the US government to accelerate its research into nuclear fission, leading to the Manhattan Project and the eventual development of atomic bombs. (Also read: The entire Earth shook for 9 days last year because of a landslide in Greenland) Chrie’s senior special for Americana, books, and manuscripts, Peter Klarnet, described the letter as “one of the most influential letters in hory.” Written in the summer of 1939, it would forever change the course of the war and human hory setting in motion the nuclear arms race. According to Business Insider, the copy that sold at auction was the only version in private hands. It was part of the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen’s collection, having been purchased in 2002 for $2.1 million. Prior to that, it belonged to publisher Malcolm Forbes, who acquired it from physic Leo Szilard’s estate. Einstein’s “great make”Though Einstein played a crucial role in advancing the US nuclear programme, he later expressed deep regret. He considered his involvement in the development of nuclear weapons his “one great make”. After learning about the devastation caused the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, Einstein reportedly lamented, “Woe is me,” recognising the enormous toll these weapons took on humanity.