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Common Questions and Answers (view source)
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=== How secret was the Norden bombsight? Was the secrecy effective? === | === How secret was the Norden bombsight? Was the secrecy effective? === | ||
The Norden bombsight was actually compromised before World War II ever began. Herman W. Lang, an inspector in the Norden factory, passed blueprints to the Germans in 1938. | The Norden bombsight was actually compromised before World War II ever began. Herman W. Lang, an inspector in the Norden factory, passed blueprints to the Germans in 1938.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Sweeting |first=C. G. |date=March 2014 |title=Not-So-Secret Weapon: The Norden Bombsight |url=http://www.historynet.com/not-so-secret-weapon-the-norden-bombsight.htm |magazine=Aviation History |access-date=14 March 2022}}</ref> | ||
As a matter of fact, it is likely that the secrecy surrounding the Norden bombsight stemmed more from Carl Norden’s desire for exclusive government contracts then any attempt at preventing the device from falling into enemy hands. By ensuring the bombsight’s secrecy, he made sure that his competitors – mainly the Sperry company – could not obtain a license to build it. Eventually, the secrecy “took [on] a life of its own” and mushroomed into the myth that is common today.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hart |first1=Dan |title=The Politics, Pickle Barrels, and Propaganda of the Norden Bombsight |url=http://www.museumofaviation.org/blog/the-politics-pickle-barrels-and-propaganda-of-the-norden-bombsight |website=Museum of Aviation |access-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20190423145610/http:/www.museumofaviation.org/blog/the-politics-pickle-barrels-and-propaganda-of-the-norden-bombsight |archive-date=23 April 2019 |date=23 April 2016}}</ref> | As a matter of fact, it is likely that the secrecy surrounding the Norden bombsight stemmed more from Carl Norden’s desire for exclusive government contracts then any attempt at preventing the device from falling into enemy hands.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Sherman |first=Don |date=March 1995 |title=The Secret Weapon |url=http://www.airspacemag.com/ASM/Mag/Index/1995/FM/swpn.html |magazine=Air & Space |access-date=14 March 2022 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/19990218194853/http://www.airspacemag.com/ASM/Mag/Index/1995/FM/swpn.html |archive-date=18 February 1999}}</ref> By ensuring the bombsight’s secrecy, he made sure that his competitors – mainly the Sperry company – could not obtain a license to build it. Eventually, the secrecy “took [on] a life of its own” and mushroomed into the myth that is common today.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hart |first1=Dan |title=The Politics, Pickle Barrels, and Propaganda of the Norden Bombsight |url=http://www.museumofaviation.org/blog/the-politics-pickle-barrels-and-propaganda-of-the-norden-bombsight |website=Museum of Aviation |access-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20190423145610/http://www.museumofaviation.org/blog/the-politics-pickle-barrels-and-propaganda-of-the-norden-bombsight |archive-date=23 April 2019 |date=23 April 2016}}</ref> | ||
It is important to note, however, that despite the excessive secrecy, the security measures during the war were taken seriously and sincerely believed by most servicemen. | It is important to note, however, that despite the excessive secrecy, the security measures during the war were taken seriously and sincerely believed by most servicemen. | ||