A piece of history is about to hit the auction block! A letter written by Albert Einstein in 1939, which encouraged the US to develop the world’s first nuclear bombs, is set to be auctioned. In the letter, Einstein warned then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt that Nazi Germany might be able to create such weapons and suggested the US begin its own atomic program.
This historic letter, signed by Einstein himself, is expected to fetch a hefty sum—estimates range from $4 million to $6 million at the Christie’s auction, which is scheduled to take place in September. The significance of this document lies not only in its famous author but also in the pivotal role it played in the development of atomic weapons during World War II.
BBC NEWS
Written to President Franklin D Roosevelt, in 1939, the note warns that Nazi Germany might be able to create such weapons – and suggests the US begins its own atomic programme.
Three years later, America began the Manhattan Project, which led to the first ever use of atomic weapons, against Japan, in 1945.
The letter is being sold as part of an auction of artefacts belonging to Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, who died in 2018 at the age 65.
Bill Gates, who started the company with Mr Allen, said: “Personal computing would not have existed without him.”
His personal collection is go on sale at Christie’s, in New York, in September.
There will be a range of items reflecting his interest in – and influence on – computing, but the Einstein letter is expected to be the centrepiece.
It has been given an estimated value of between $4m and $6m (£3.2m-£4.7m).
It was actually written by Hungarian physicist Leo Szilard with help from other scientists – but it was signed by Einstein because his status as one of the greatest scientific figures of all time made it more likely to get the president’s attention.
