Close Call: Cold War Nuke Nearly Goes Off, Expert Disarms It by Hand

During Operation Tumbler-Snapper in 1952 at the Nevada Proving Ground, a 15-kiloton nuclear bomb codenamed "Fox" malfunctioned atop its 300-foot tower. Facing potential catastrophe, Dr. John C. Clark of the Atomic Energy Commission led a team on a harrowing climb to disarm the device. Without an elevator, they manually deactivated the bomb's firing system, showcasing the risks and bravery of Cold War nuclear testing and the expertise of those involved.