[rlmorel]

First in!

[Pontiac]

The technical name was Perimeter, but some called it Mertvaya Ruka, or Dead Hand. It was built 25 years ago and remained a closely guarded secret.

Like Dr. Strangelove said in the movie. The entire purpose of the Dooms Day Machine is to instill the fear to attack; “Why didn’t you tell the world”

[justlurking]

An interesting choice of images, because the article discusses Dr. Strangelove.

As you may remember, the attack by the rogue US general is expected to set off a Soviet doomsday machine. It results in the following conversation:

Dr. Strangelove: Of course, the whole point of a Doomsday Machine is lost, if you *keep* it a *secret*! Why didn't you tell the world, EH?

Ambassador de Sadesky: It was to be announced at the Party Congress on Monday. As you know, the Premier loves surprises.

The KGB Colonel in this article claims that althought it was kept a secret, it actually calmed down the Soviet leadership -- because they no longer felt they needed to "launch on warning", as long as they thought this system would exact revenge.

[Moe Tzadik]

Much nicer and more effective in the original B/W.