9 forgotten nuclear inventions from the Atomic Age

The article explores nine ambitious but ultimately abandoned nuclear inventions from the Atomic Age, a period marked by optimism about nuclear power’s potential beyond weaponry. Driven by Cold War competition, engineers sought to harness nuclear energy for various applications, including transportation and warfare. Among these was the Convair NB-36H “Crusader,” an experimental aircraft that carried an onboard nuclear reactor to study radiation shielding and safety for future nuclear-powered flight. Despite 47 test flights, safety concerns about reactor containment in crashes led to the program’s cancellation in 1957. Another notable project was “Project Orion,” which proposed propelling spacecraft using controlled nuclear explosions against a shock-absorbing plate, promising rapid interplanetary and interstellar travel. However, the 1963 Partial Test Ban Treaty banning nuclear explosions in space ended this visionary concept. Other innovations included the Chrysler TV-8, a conceptual nuclear-powered tank with amphibious capabilities and a modular turret housing crew and engine components, which was shelved in 195