Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 42 — page 110: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

TOP SECRET . suddenly removed. But now he was not even thinking about it any more. He just concentrated on fitting the spring-actuated solenoid release lever. BY SPECIAL MESSENGER, DESTROY AFTER READING. Project: 739 3rd Progress Report 1. Security. (a) the mech- anical workers we employ have all been carefully selected. None of them are in any position to break security. Each worker is only aware of his own sub-assembly. (db) the scientists work in teams of two, but there is no con- nection between different groups. All problems given to them are quite meaningless by themselves. Some questions are given in the form “‘what countermeasures do you sug- gest.”’ (c) all suppliers, con- tractors, etc., know this affair only as Project 739 and con- sider it quite top secret. (d) The population at large, as far as they are aware of the project at all, have been warned by their newspaper as per enclosed editorial. 109 2. Design. (a) Timing de- vice. Martin and Engler have developed an extremely ac- curate timing mechanism which exceeds the specifica- tions, and is independent of temperature variations. (bd) Combination. Plauenstein and Werner have eliminated the old method of combining sub- critical masses in separate containers and the attendent neutron-loss. The entire mass is contained in one envelope (rubber) in an elongated form. This shape favours neutron escape below the chain re- action level. After triggering the mass assumes a spherical shape under the pressure of its own envelope. 3. Production. We have the required number of units on hand and expect your shipment of the material as well as instructions when the boxes should be delivered at destination. Air-Express sche- dule enclosed. 4. General. It was a bril- liant idea to make these units right in the U.S.A., but without American secrecy regulations we could never have pulled it off. (Signed) Ivan. Two enclosures. comiclooks.corn