The Cursed Bomb That Was Never Dropped

Part 1 of our (non-consecutive) Mini-Series: “Lessons Learned the Hard Way”

We are starting off Season 2 with a “bang?” (sorry, not sorry). This episode is all about the often forgotten third atomic bomb core from World War II: Rufus, now known as The Demon Core. While this core was never dropped as a bomb, it was used for nuclear/plutonium testing after WWII and along the way, it was deemed “cursed”. Take a listen and find out why!

Discussion Includes:

  • The Bombs Dropped on Japan

  • Basic Chemistry of Atomic Bombs

  • Historic Atomic/Nuclear Research in the USA

  • Rufus the Demon Core

  • Basic Radiation Overview

  • The Deaths that Cursed the Demon Core

  • Long-Lasting Changes due to the Demon Core

  • Resurgence of the Demon Core in Internet Culture

©️ Wolf & Stag Productions LLC, 2025

Images:

References:

  • Chandler, D. L. (n.d.). Explained: Rad, REM, Sieverts, Becquerels. MIT News | Massachusetts Institute of Technology. https://news.mit.edu/2011/explained-radioactivity-0328 

  • Louis Alexander Slotin (1910-1946) - find a grave... Find a Grave. (n.d.). https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22319390/louis-p.-slotin 

  • Los Alamos National Laboratory. (n.d.). Los Alamos Science: Research Library. https://researchlibrary.lanl.gov/about-the-library/publications/la-science/ 

  • Chicago pile 1: A bold nuclear physics experiment with enduring impact | argonne national laboratory. (n.d.). https://www.anl.gov/article/chicago-pile-1-a-bold-nuclear-physics-experiment-with-enduring-impact 

  • Jaeck, A. (n.d.). Uranium-239. isotopic data and properties. https://www.chemlin.org/isotope/uranium-239 

  • Neptunium. Neptunium - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics. (n.d.). https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/physics-and-astronomy/neptunium#:~:text=Neptunium%2D239%20(half%2Dlife,of%20concern%20in%20most%20wastes 

  • Whiting, B. (2023, February 23). The demon core. UEW Healthcare. https://uewhealth.com/the-demon-core/ 

  • Julie Miller. (2025, May 30). A tale of two bomb designs: Los Alamos National Laboratory. https://www.lanl.gov/media/publications/the-vault/1023-a-tale-of-two-bomb-designs 

  • Mecklin, J. (2018, June 28). On tickling the dragon’s tail. Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. https://thebulletin.org/2016/02/on-tickling-the-dragons-tail/ 

  • The Third Core’s Revenge. Restricted Data: A Nuclear History Blog. (n.d.). https://blog.nuclearsecrecy.com/2013/08/16/the-third-cores-revenge/  

  • Environmental Protection Agency. (n.d.). Frequent Questions: Radiation in Medicine. EPA. https://www.epa.gov/radiation/frequent-questions-radiation-medicine#x-rays 

  • Atomic accidents. Nuclear Museum. (n.d.). https://ahf.nuclearmuseum.org/ahf/history/atomic-accidents/ 

  • Raemer Schreiber’s interview (1993). Nuclear Museum. (n.d.-b). https://ahf.nuclearmuseum.org/voices/oral-histories/raemer-schreibers-interview-1993/ 

  • Haroutune Krikor “Harry” Daghlian Jr. (1921-1945)... Find a Grave. (n.d.-a). https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/75706479/haroutune_krikor-daghlian 

  • U.S. Department of the Interior. (n.d.). Manhattan project scientists: Harry Daghlian (U.S. National Park Service). National Parks Service. https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/manhattan-project-scientists-harry-daghlian.htm 

  • McLaughlin, T. P., Monohan, S. P., Pruvost, N. L., Frolov, V. V., Sviridov, V. I., & Ryazanov, B. G. (2000). A review of criticality accidents (2000 Revision). United States. Dept. of Energy. 

  • The Third Core’s Revenge. Restricted Data: A Nuclear History Blog. (n.d.-a). https://blog.nuclearsecrecy.com/2013/08/16/the-third-cores-revenge/ 

  • By Los Alamos National Laboratory - From LANL's report on criticality accidents, 2000, https://web.archive.org/web/20060224043624/https://csirc.net/docs/reports/la-13638.pdf PDF at https://web.archive.org/web/20070111111320/https://csirc.net/library/la_13638.shtml, Attribution, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=114470

  • By Los Alamos National Laboratory - Taken from "A Review of Criticality Accidents", LA-13638, Figure 42, page 75, Los Alamos National Laboratory [1], Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2762627

  • By unknown member of Los Alamos Laboratory - Hoffman, Joseph G.; et al. (1948-5-26). "Radiation Doses in the Pajarito Accident of May 21, 1946". Error: journal= not stated. Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory. LA-687. Retrieved on 30 May 2012., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19882687

  • Louis Slotin becomes second victim of “Demon core.” (n.d.-b). https://www.aps.org/archives/publications/apsnews/201405/physicshistory.cfm 

  • Potsdam and the final decision to use the bomb. Manhattan project: Potsdam and the final decision to use the bomb, July 1945. (n.d.). https://www.osti.gov/opennet/manhattan-project-history/Events/1945/potsdam_decision.htm 

  • Japan surrenders. Manhattan project: Japan surrenders, August 10-15, 1945. (n.d.). https://www.osti.gov/opennet/manhattan-project-history/Events/1945/surrender.htm 

  • Iijima S. Pathology of atomic bomb casualties. Acta Pathol Jpn. 1982;32 Suppl 2:237-70. PMID: 7187578.

  • Platts-Mills, B. (2023, August 4). How a careless slip killed a physicist. BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20230719-the-blue-flash-louis-slotin-accident-manhattan-project-oppenheimer-atomic-bomb 

  • WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE SURVIVORS OF THE EARLY LOS ALAMOS NUCLEAR ACCIDENTS? (n.d.). https://www.orau.org/PTP/pdf/accidentsurvivorslanl.pdf 

  • The blue flash. Restricted Data: A Nuclear History Blog. (n.d.-a). https://blog.nuclearsecrecy.com/2016/05/23/the-blue-flash/ 

  • Ritchie, H. (2020, February 10). What are the safest and cleanest sources of energy?. Our World in Data. https://ourworldindata.org/safest-sources-of-energy 

Kara Nyhan

I am a graphic designer, film producing & director, and small business entrepreneur. My work focus is on creative and arts organizations and individuals, helping to create graphics, marketing materials, branding, and websites that fit their needs. I have a B.A. in Graphic Design and a M.B.A with a focus in entrepreneurship. Currently, I do business as Lore Art & Design.

https://www.lore-art-design.com
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