How 1950s Las Vegas Sold Atomic Bomb Tests as Tourism

Between 1950 and 1960, the population of Las Vegas grew by 161%--partly due to the burgeoning casino industry. But another reason was a chance to glimpse actual nuclear tests in person.

From: A-BOMBS OVER NEVADA

[tylergreen]

If someone went back in time.

PLEASE take a photo of someone on a rooftop in las Vegas drink wiskey on a beach chair watching a nuke blast from the Nevada test site!

[DevSodDribble]

All this while Indiana Jones hid in the fridge.

[_Andrew]

I envy the people who got to saw nuclear tests like this. Only family who saw one was my Grandad who saw one in Australia out in the distance. This is a nuclear/reaction happening, who wouldn't wanna see

[RoIIingStoned]

Fuck. People knew how to live back then. The jazz age...nuclear parties, what do we have now

[Flakjacket]

I would love to have a VR experience of this.

[Kardasi]

Imagine, you are chillin at the Ceasars Palace sinking Martinis and then Cloud!

[shyarusu]

I sleep easier knowing they don't test nukes like this anymore

[benkleschinsky]

What an amazing piece of technological achievement for all mankind. The atom.

[Shampoid]

*H bomb explodes spewing radiation everywhere*


ayo bruh thats cool lookin haha lets make sure the government do more

[hyryifh]

What I loved the most is the Smithsonian motto at the end: "Smithsonian - It's brighter here!". Way much brighter, indeed ;p

[ertus]

So nice of the USA, they were so generous they were promoting tourism in Japan as well.

[jmm]

You be happy to learn that las vegas is still the most irritated city of 2019, 20 piccos above background , so go to las vegas and feel that warm glow

[chriswhite]

The Nevada Test Site was the primary testing location of American nuclear devices from 1951 to 1992; 928 announced nuclear tests occurred there. Of those, 828 were underground.[

[thomasglebe]

Nothing better to finish an evening of partying till dawn than watching a nuclear blast with your coffee and bagel. Smells like .. victory... 🤠

[ailaxvo_]

_"Your shock-wave whisper has sealed your fate"_

[ballistictemplereliteknigh]

Damn it I already beaten Fallout NV 132 times, guess I'm gonna beat it again.

[gnghngnvbnb]

alhough they test site was just over 100km away from Las Vegas, noone ever mentioned anyhing about radiation there. Humas, animals, plants all were not harmed.

[evolvedturtleproductions]

No wonder it was attacked in Godzilla 2014

[ThunderWarrior]

I’m thinking you could base a game in Vegas after nuclear war 🤪

[a-snafu]

Only in America where you can get slizzered and see a nuke test at the same time👍