In 1981, Teller was pessimistic about the chances of avoiding another world war, particularly if the Soviets beat the U.S. in the development of an antimissile defense. Teller's solution was to escalate the arms race further, and develop our own defense. The X-ray laser became his new passion. After convincing a gullible Reagan, Teller spent $25 billion on one of the biggest boondoggles in the history of science. Even if it had worked, many felt that it would have merely increased the risk of war.
When George Bush came into office, Teller abandoned the X-ray laser in
favor of "Brilliant Pebbles," an equally unworkable concept that at least
had the virtue of being non-nuclear. By now some of the best scientists have
left Livermore Labs, which the Soviets have always called the "City of
Death." That, presumably, makes Edward Teller the "Father of Death."
ISBN 0-671-70106-1
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