A letter penned by Albert Einstein, urging the United States to embark on developing the world’s first nuclear weapons, will soon be auctioned. Written to President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939, the letter raises concerns about the potential for Nazi Germany to construct atomic bombs and recommends that the US initiate its own atomic program. This pivotal correspondence eventually led to the Manhattan Project, culminating in the historic deployment of atomic weapons against Japan in 1945.
The letter forms part of an auction featuring artifacts from the collection of Paul Allen, the late co-founder of Microsoft who passed away in 2018 at age 65. Bill Gates, Allen’s business partner, emphasized Allen’s indispensable role in the creation of personal computing. Christie’s in New York will host the auction in September, showcasing a variety of items reflecting Allen’s profound impact on computing, with the Einstein letter expected to be a highlight valued between $4 million and $6 million (£3.2m-£4.7m).
Originally drafted by Hungarian physicist Leo Szilard with input from other scientists, the letter bears Einstein’s signature, leveraging his stature as a scientific luminary to capture the President’s attention. Dated August 2, 1939, shortly before the outbreak of World War II, the letter speculates on Germany’s nuclear capabilities and warns of the potential development of new, powerful bombs. Despite its historical significance, Einstein reportedly regretted the letter’s influence in prompting America’s exclusive development of nuclear weaponry at that time.
Alongside the Einstein letter, the auction will feature a DEC PDP-10: KI-10 computer from 1971, similar to models Allen and Gates would have worked on during Microsoft’s inception, pivotal in early internet development. Also up for bidding is a spacesuit worn by astronaut Ed White during the first American spacewalk in 1965, valued between $80,000 and $120,000.
Paul Allen’s legacy extends beyond technology into philanthropy and arts, exemplified by his record-breaking 2022 art auction which raised over $1.5 billion (£1.2bn) for charitable causes. Throughout his life, Allen donated more than $2 billion to various charitable endeavors, established museums, and owned several American sports teams, leaving an enduring impact on society.