Why were nuclear weapons invented?

Answer 1

That is a little complicated:

1. 1933, Leo Szilard invented the process of the neutron chain reaction while crossing a London street. His reason was to develop a better method of transmutation of elements.
2. 1934, Leo Szilard files his patent on the neutron chain reaction, which also included claims on possible uses for power generation and explosives. The patent was granted as GB630726.
3. 1936, Leo Szilard signs patent GB630726 to the British Admiralty because he fears the Nazis might get their hands on it.
4. 1942, US begin work studying reactors and explosives based on nuclear chain reaction. The reason was fear the Nazis might develop it first. Almost immediately Edward Teller invents the hydrogen bomb, his reason was his intense fear of Communism, however he is stymied in all attempts to design it as the fusion reaction always "burns out" almost instantly.
5. 1945, US tests first atomic bomb, then a month later drops 2 on Japan. The reason, to end the war ASAP!
6. 1949, USSR tests their copy of the US' atomic bomb (from stolen plans). The reason, fear of the US' atomic bomb and Capitalism.
7. 1951, Stanislaw Ulam and Edward Teller finally develop the x-ray driven radiation implosion design for the hydrogen bomb. It is tested in 1952. The reason, fear of the USSR's atomic bomb and Communism.
8. 1953, USSR test the first "hydrogen bomb" able to be carried by a bomber. The reason, fear of the US' hydrogen bomb and Capitalism.
9. The US and USSR madly make more and more nuclear weapons, until the USSR's economy eventually breaks down due to unrelated internal causes. The reason, fear becomes an endless infinite loop always feeding back on itself! This was the period of the nuclear arms race.