Pressure Points discussed red mercury in S5E25 - Yeltsin's Red Ooze - listen now!
Red mercury is a substance that has been the subject of much speculation and myth over the years. Despite being discredited by experts, it continues to be a topic of interest for those who believe in its supposed powers. The origins of red mercury can be traced back to the late 1980s when references to it first appeared in primary Soviet and Western media sources. However, the articles were never specific as to what precisely red mercury was. Nevertheless, they claimed it was of great importance in nuclear bombs or that it was used to build boosted fission.
The exact nature of red mercury's supposed working mechanism varied widely among commentators. However, none of these explanations appear scientifically or historically supportable. Additionally, there is no independent confirmation of any claims about the reality of red mercury. The scientists in charge of the labs where the material would have been made have denied its existence.
Despite this, red mercury continues to be a topic of interest for some. In 2019, the BBC published an article exploring why the myth of red mercury persists. The report noted that red mercury had been described as a magical healing substance or a substance that could create devastating nuclear bombs. However, the article also stated that red mercury doesn't exist.
In 1995, New Scientist published an article claiming that red mercury could be natural and severely threaten the world's attempts to control the spread of nuclear weapons. The report cited new information leaked from South Africa, Russia, and the US that had convinced leading experts that red mercury was real and terrifying. However, the existence of red mercury is doubted, not just by governments but also by independent critics.
In 2015, The New York Times published an article about red mercury, noting that aspiring bomb makers, including ISIS, have desperately tried to get their hands on the substance. The report indicated that red mercury, a chemical compound with explosive pop, does not exist. Legends of red mercury's powers began circulating late in the Cold War. But their breakout period came after the Soviet Union's demise when disarray and penury settled over the Kremlin's arms programs.
In conclusion, despite the many claims and myths surrounding red mercury, no scientific evidence supports its existence. While it may continue to be a topic of interest for some, it is essential to remember that it is likely a hoax perpetrated by con artists who sought to take advantage of unsuspecting buyers on the black market.
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