Part 5/17:
The transition from the first atomic bombs used in Hiroshima and Nagasaki to today’s thermonuclear (fusion) devices marks a significant technological leap. Shea clarifies that the term "nuclear age" signifies more than just the inception of atomic bombs—it encompasses the development of vastly more powerful weapons, often measured in megatons. The discovery of nuclear fission led to the development of weapons with explosive yields thousands of times greater than the original bombs, with the Soviet Union, USA, and other powers rapidly advancing their stockpiles during the Cold War.