A significant piece of history is set to go for auction: a letter from Albert Einstein to then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939. This letter, which played a crucial role in developing the United States’ nuclear program, will be auctioned as part of a collection owned by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen.
The call for nuclear advancement
In the letter, Einstein urged the United States to develop its own nuclear program, warning of the possibility that Nazi Germany was on the verge of creating atomic bombs. The BBC reports that the letter highlighted the pressing need for America to act swiftly in the face of this potential threat.
Genesis of the Manhattan Project
Einstein’s letter had a profound impact. President Roosevelt responded by establishing a committee that would eventually evolve into the Manhattan Project, led by J. Robert Oppenheimer. This project ultimately led to the development of the atomic bombs used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, bringing World War II to a close and ushering in the nuclear age.
Auction details
According to the Wall Street Journal, Christie’s is expected to ask for at least $4 million for this historic two-page, typed letter, dated August 2, 1939. The letter begins with a blunt yet significant observation: “Sir, recent work in nuclear physics has made it probable that uranium may be turned into a new and important source of energy.”
While this letter is not expected to surpass the $13 million record set in 2021 for one of Einstein’s documents detailing his theory of general relativity, it holds considerable historical value. The record for any Einstein letter currently stands at $2.8 million, set in 2018 for a letter in which the physicist reflected on God and religion. This auction offers a rare opportunity to own a document that not only marked a pivotal moment in history but also set the stage for the modern nuclear era.