Accidents and Challenging Situations
During the 1950s scientists and the military continued researching nuclear technologies and the damage caused by nuclear explosions. Test explosions resulted in more effective weapons and structures designed to withstand nuclear blasts. In addition, planners investigated the possibility of non-military uses of nuclear power including atomic trains, medical technology, and nuclear power plants.
Simultaneously, nuclear accidents occurred despite government assurances of the safety of modern nuclear energy. Students in the 1950s were inundated with the fear of nuclear annihilation and regularly practiced "duck-and-cover" drills in case of a nuclear attack. Of course hiding under a student desk would provide little protection from a nuclear attack, but needlessly scared the daylights out of youngsters.
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