in those old videos of atomic bomb tests destroying buildings, how does the camera/footage survive?

Question

I’m referring to those old black and white videos of US atomic bomb tests – it always shows buildings and other constructions being literally blown away but the camera seems fine

In: 81

Answer 1

So the test footage you are referring to is vary famous. And the answer is less appealing than you want unfortunately. Multiple constructions were made to test and demonstrate the effects of Shockwaves and searing heat. You can even find some footage from inside the buildings durring the detonation. The answer as to how the cameras survived is because they were built inside of proper bunkers instead of the wood houses meant to demonstrate suburban areas at the time. If you oay close enough attention, in some of the footage you will see the houses begin to combust before the blowing Shockwave hits them. Vary hot. But not enough to melt glass at that distance.

TLDR: wooden demonstration houses weak. Concrete camera bunkers not.