Most focused on the potential for nuclear explosions to quickly excavate areas for construction projects at lower costs than conventional explosives.
(Hamblin is the author of the book "The Wretched Atom: America's Global Gamble with Peaceful Nuclear Technology.")
Fly the radioactive skiesUS officials also hoped nuclear energy could be used for transportation.
Nicknamed the "pan-atomic canal," nuclear explosions would have carved a sea-level waterway through Nicaragua, Panama, or Colombia, per Forbes.
Corbis via Getty ImagesFor Hamblin, the concept of "peaceful nuclear explosions" fell out of favor in the mid-70s.
Persons:
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Organizations:
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Locations:
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