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Just finished “Atomic” by Tim Baggot. A history of the development of the bomb. From my reading, lots of the physicists knew. They pushed forward as they didn’t know the extent of the german project (who had stalled due to lack of resources and a belief that while possible, a bomb wasn’t practical due to a need for a large amount of material). The safe-cracking was for amusement.

Can you point to the part of the book where it is stated that only few physicist (not including Feynman) knew this? I remember it very differently. From my memory:

- lock picking was for fun and didnt gain info - some warehouse workers didnt know about critical mass of uranium and stored the stuff to closely together

This is my recollection too.

ah maybe you're right. memory might be foggy. time for a fresh re-read!

Maybe you meant the part where it is clarified that the weapon was not developed against Germany but strategically against the UDSSR. (if I remember that part correctly)

I do not think this is accurate. Where did you get this version of events?