Operation Teapot was the deceptively innocent name for the 14 nuclear test explosions that the U.S. carried out in 1955. As the Cold War progressed, a total of 928 nuclear bombs were tested at the Nevada Test Site between 1951 and 1992. This previously unreleased footage show just four of these awe-inspiring and utterly terrifying explosions.
The video hosted by Atom Central shows never-before-seen footage, which is remarkably good quality for being 60 years old. The flatness of the desert can be deceptive, but these videos were filmed from around 13 kilometers (8 miles) away. It shows the barren desert suddenly fill with light and energy, in a display that simultaneously shows the power of scientific discovery and the dark heart of humanity.
From 1986 to 1994, the Nevada Test Site was a frequent site of protest for nuclear disarmament campaigners. More than 37,000 people participated in the demonstrations and 15,740 were arrested, including famous scientist Carl Sagan who climbed a chain link fence to protest during Operation Charioteer in 1987.
