New Delhi. A copy of a letter signed by Albert Einstein, who played a key role in the development of the first atomic bomb, was auctioned for Rs 32 crore

The letter, addressed to US President Franklin D Roosevelt in 1939, warned about the potential of nuclear weapons and urged the US to begin its own research, which eventually led to the creation of the atomic bomb during World War II. The letter is now found in the Franklin D Roosevelt Library in New York.

What is the importance of the letter?

The letter, which is part of the collection of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library in New York, was Einstein's attempt to alert President Roosevelt to the possibility that Germany might be working on nuclear weapons. In the letter, Einstein also highlighted developments in nuclear physics, suggesting that uranium could be turned into "a new and important source of energy". He warned that this energy could be used to make "extremely powerful bombs".

How was the atomic bomb developed?

Einstein, who had fled Europe with fellow physicist Leo Szilard as Adolf Hitler rose to power, felt an urgent need to take action. His letter helped persuade the US government to accelerate its research into nuclear fission, leading to the Manhattan Project and eventually the development of atomic bombs.