For Nearly 20 Years, the U.S. Nuclear Launch Code Was 00000000
About this episode
This episode discusses the simplicity of the U.S. nuclear launch code during the Cold War and the implications of its security.
On this episode of Our American Stories, during the height of the Cold War, the United States worked tirelessly to stay ahead of the Soviet Union in the global arms race. Safeguards were put in place to prevent the accidental or unauthorized use of nuclear weapons, including special systems known as Permissive Action Links, or PAL codes. But for almost two decades, the launch code for America’s nuclear arsenal was just eight zeroes: 00000000. Simon Whistler, host of T oday I Found Out and The Brain Food Show , explains why the most important code of the Cold War was so simple to crack. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
People in this episode
Host: Simon Whistler
Topics covered
- nuclear weapons
- Cold War
- arms race
- safeguards
- Permissive Action Links
- launch codes
Keywords
- nuclear launch code
- 00000000
- Permissive Action Links
- Cold War
- arms race
- safeguards
- Simon Whistler
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Our American Stories, iHeartPodcasts
Places: United States, Soviet Union
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