Vegas Was a Blast

24-Sep-21
Pauline Frommer
Vegas – From Slot Machines to Geiger Counters

If you’re considering a vacation to a science-oriented destination, we’ve got one that will likely surprise you. I’m Jim Metzner and this is the Pulse of the Planet.

Frommer: Believe it or not, Los Vegas is one of the best science destinations in the world.

Pauline Frommer is Editorial Director for the Frommer Guidebooks & Frommers.com. So Pauline, why Los Vegas?

Frommer: Because the Nevada test site, where they tested the atomic bomb from the 1950s until the early 1990s, is within spitting distance of Los Vegas. In fact, people used to get on the rooftops of the casinos to watch the mushroom clouds. It was a tourist attraction. You can now visit the Nevada test site several times a month. You have to get advance reservations. You see the houses that they used to blow up and see what the effects of different types of bombs would be. You see how they’re using the test site now. In Los Vegas proper is the Atomic Testing Museum, which tells you all about the history of the development of the bomb, but also tells you about the science behind it and all of the different products that we use today that would never have been invented if they hadn’t been working on the bomb.

Is it safe to visit the testing ground?

Frommer: They do have a geiger counter when you’re going around. That gives you pause, but it was on a safe number when I was there. And it was one of the most fascinating trips I’ve even gone on. You can go to the Atomic Testing Museum easily. The site you really have to apply in advance. It’s definitely worth it and I think reasonably safe.

We’ll hear more about other science destinations in future programs. I’m Jim Metzner and this is the Pulse of the Planet.

Vegas Was a Blast

They used to stand on the rooftops of the casinos and watch the mushroom clouds.
Air Date:09/24/2021
Scientist:Pauline Frommer
Transcript:

24-Sep-21 Pauline Frommer Vegas - From Slot Machines to Geiger Counters If you're considering a vacation to a science-oriented destination, we've got one that will likely surprise you. I'm Jim Metzner and this is the Pulse of the Planet. Frommer: Believe it or not, Los Vegas is one of the best science destinations in the world. Pauline Frommer is Editorial Director for the Frommer Guidebooks & Frommers.com. So Pauline, why Los Vegas? Frommer: Because the Nevada test site, where they tested the atomic bomb from the 1950s until the early 1990s, is within spitting distance of Los Vegas. In fact, people used to get on the rooftops of the casinos to watch the mushroom clouds. It was a tourist attraction. You can now visit the Nevada test site several times a month. You have to get advance reservations. You see the houses that they used to blow up and see what the effects of different types of bombs would be. You see how they're using the test site now. In Los Vegas proper is the Atomic Testing Museum, which tells you all about the history of the development of the bomb, but also tells you about the science behind it and all of the different products that we use today that would never have been invented if they hadn't been working on the bomb. Is it safe to visit the testing ground? Frommer: They do have a geiger counter when you're going around. That gives you pause, but it was on a safe number when I was there. And it was one of the most fascinating trips I've even gone on. You can go to the Atomic Testing Museum easily. The site you really have to apply in advance. It's definitely worth it and I think reasonably safe. We'll hear more about other science destinations in future programs. I'm Jim Metzner and this is the Pulse of the Planet.