Printed television script, 27 pages, for Episode One of Your World Tomorrow, titled “The Atom,” written by Joseph Mindel, produced for NBC in 1946. Script involves a narrator, young girl and a stagehand learning about the properties and potential power of the atom, mentioning Pierre Curie and his experiments. Program goes on to explain about splitting uranium atoms, particularly Uranium-2235, and the power released during such an action. Late in the program is a flashback to Einstein’s home, with Einstein (played by an actor and never showed from the front), explaining his theory of relativity to another gentleman, “Energy equals mass multiplied by the square of the speed of light…. I said—E equals m c square.” He goes on to explain, “The equation says that every piece of matter in the universe contains inherent energy…. Very simply, when matter is destroyed the equivalent amount of energy appears.” The gentleman, now a bit more serious, asks how one goes about destroying matter, to which Einstein’s character replies, “I don’t know Franz. No one knows … yet.” Remaining pages lead up to discussion of the New Mexico testing of the atomic bomb, as well of its use on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Script is signed on the front page in black ink, “A. Einstein.” Accompanied by correspondence between the script writer and Einstein’s office, including: A letter dated May 9, 1946, from Mindel, which states, “No story of the atom would be complete without E=mc (2). And what is E=mc(2) without Einstein? It is thus necessary to portray you briefly in one of those scenes. As you know your permission is needed for the portrayal”; a letter dated the next day from Einstein’s office gives permission to use his name and asks when he would like the script returned; and a final letter, dated May 16, 1946, from the writer who expresses his gratitude for Einstein’s permission and asks, “I hesitate to ask what may seem to him to be completely frivolous, but if I might have it back with a few words from Professor Einstein, I should feel greatly honored.” Accompanied by the original mailing envelope. A year after the atomic bomb ended World War II, Einstein began his work as Chairman of the Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists, a group he founded to warn the public of the dangers associated with the development of nuclear weapons and work toward world peace. In fine condition, with rusty paperclip marks to upper left corner, one mailing fold, a few edge dings to first page, and some mild handling wear. Auction LOA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
