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How Cubes Of Nazi Uranium Were Almost Lost To History : Short Wave NPR science correspondent Geoff Brumfiel shares the story of Nazi Germany's attempt to build a nuclear reactor — and how evidence of that effort was almost lost to history. It's a tale he heard from Timothy Koeth and Miriam Hiebert at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Maryland in College Park. Read more on their original story in Physics Today. Follow host Maddie Sofia on Twitter @maddie_sofia. Email the show at shortwave@npr.org.

Short Wave

Seen Any Nazi Uranium? These Researchers Want To Know

Seen Any Nazi Uranium? These Researchers Want To Know

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This cube of uranium metal came from a reactor that the Nazis tried to build during World War II. Hundreds of others like it are now missing. John T. Consoli/University of Maryland hide caption

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John T. Consoli/University of Maryland

This cube of uranium metal came from a reactor that the Nazis tried to build during World War II. Hundreds of others like it are now missing.

John T. Consoli/University of Maryland

NPR science correspondent Geoff Brumfiel shares the story of Nazi Germany's attempt to build a nuclear reactor — and how evidence of that effort was almost lost to history. It's a tale he heard from Timothy Koeth and Miriam Hiebert at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Maryland in College Park. Read more on their original story in Physics Today. Follow host Maddie Sofia on Twitter @maddie_sofia. Email the show at shortwave@npr.org.

Earlier NPR Coverage:
"Have You Seen Any Nazi Uranium? These Researchers Want To Know," by Geoff Brumfiel

This episode was produced by Brent Baughman and edited by Geoff Brumfiel and Viet Le.