Topic: V2 Rockets

A retrospective on the 1950s space race highlights the frequent rocket explosions experienced by the U.S. Navy's Vanguard program compared to the Soviet Union's success with Sputnik. An anecdote describes purchasing a "Laika the dog" watch in the Soviet Union. The discussion contrasts the rapid progress leading to the 1969 moon landing with the current inability of modern private space companies to maintain launch pad safety.

Author Annie Jacobson discusses her book "Operation Paperclip," which details the secret U.S. program that brought 1,600 Nazi scientists to America after WWII. The hosts link this historical militarization to modern trends, such as the replacement of "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" with "America the Beautiful" during the seventh-inning stretch at baseball games.