Segments in this Video

The Rock that Became a Bomb (02:35)


Indigenous Australian mythology uses a dragon symbol to represent uranium. Learn how uranium was forged during the time of creation.

Background Radiation (04:17)

Visit the Czech Republic and learn about natural radiation. Mueller descends into a silver mine in search of an element named after planet Uranus, uranium.

Henri Becquerel & Marie Curie (03:26)

In 1896, Bacquerel performs an experiment on the florescence of uranium and discovers its powerful potential. Curie researches the energy source of uranium.

Radium Therapy (05:57)

Muller visits Curie's laboratory. Learn what Curie discovers after years of experiments. Radium is used to burn off tumors during the atomic age. Muller takes a radioactive bath.

Atomic World (04:05)

Curie was the first women to earn a doctorate in France. Rutherford and Soddy dive into the unknown world of the atom. The uranium atom has 92 protons, the biggest nucleus on Earth.

Daughters of Uranium (03:48)

Rutherford and Soddy discover that when uranium releases radiation and energy it naturally transform into thorium. Learn about the daughters of uranium decay.

Power of Atomic Energy (03:10)

Visit Switzerland and learn about Einstein's groundbreaking equation. Wells imagines a world where a uranium based weapon is a reality in his text, "The World Set Free."

Nuclear Chain Reaction (03:47)

Visit London and learn how Szilard conceives of the nuclear chain reaction. Weart discusses Szilard's anxiety about Nazi Germany developing an atomic bomb.

Fission Reaction (04:05)

Muller explains how the nucleus of a uranium atom is split. Uranium could make a bomb and Nazi Germany understood this. Szliard and Einstein write a letter to Roosevelt warning him of this potential threat.

Manhattan Project (08:21)

On December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor is attacked and American is at war with Germany and Japan. The top secret Manhattan Project is commissioned to build an American uranium bomb. Oppenheimer takes the lead.

Trinity Test (00:14)

With the war in Japan, the work to construct the atomic bomb continues. Uranium itself becomes the biggest technical problem. Watch the first atomic bomb test, Trinity.

Hiroshima (05:24)

On August 6, 1945, an atomic bomb is dropped on Hiroshima, Japan. Images of the aftermath are displayed. Those not killed in the initial blast begin to die of radiation poisoning.

Ancient Health Warning (02:24)

Muller explains ancient clues found in Australia warning of the danger uranium posed. A painting on a rock warned of a sickness that would be contracted by disturbing stones in the area.

Credits: Uranium: Twisting the Dragon's Tail—Part 1 (00:10)

Credits: Uranium: Twisting the Dragon's Tail—Part 1


Uranium: Twisting the Dragon's Tail—Part 1

Part of the Series : Uranium: Twisting the Dragon's Tail
3-Year Streaming Price: $169.95



The story of uranium is part science, part history, and all epic adventure. It is a journey through place and time, around the most dangerous and wondrous rock on Earth. "Uranium: Twisting the Dragon's Tale" is an action-packed journey to explore the most dangerous, wondrous, and controversial rock on Earth. Join physicist Dr. Derek Muller as he travels to Russia, Japan, North America, Europe, and Australia to explore the vast world of this fascinating element. Distributed by PBS Distribution. 

Length: 55 minutes

Item#: BVL111626

Copyright date: ©2015

Closed Captioned

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