Paperclip: America's Nazi Scientists

By: Amazon Studios | L.A. Times Studios
  • Summary

  • It’s 1945. Hitler is defeated. America is looking to outsmart a new enemy, the Soviet Union. To advance in rocketry, aviation, and chemical weapons, America recruits scientists and engineers who fueled the war machine of another nation...Nazi Germany. Inspired by the true story behind the Emmy-eligible drama series "Hunters" from Amazon Studios, starring Al Pacino and Logan Lerman, PAPERCLIP explores how Operation Paperclip – the recruitment of Nazi Germany’s most brilliant and, in many cases, most villainous scientists to the United States after World War II – impacted some of America’s most vital, monumental, and controversial endeavors in military technology, medical research, and the space program. As our two hosts, history professor Monique Laney and actor-comedian Michael Ian Black, tackle Operation Paperclip from multiple angles – from its “pragmatic” Cold War motivations to its wide range of applications – listeners will come to understand this little-known and unbelievable moment in American history.This is a paid podcast funded Amazon Studios. The Los Angeles Times newsroom was not involved in the production of this podcast. The views expressed on this podcast are not necessarily the views of Amazon Studios or the Los Angeles Times.Produced with support from Treefort Media.
    © 2020 Amazon Studios
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Episodes
  • Introducing 'Foretold'
    May 18 2023

    "Foretold" is the newest podcast from the L.A. Times, and we're sharing a preview of the first episode with you here today. 

    In the fall of 2019, reporter Faith E. Pinho received a tip from a woman named Paulina Stevens. Paulina claimed she had grown up in an insular Romani community in California, where she was raised to be a wife, mother and fortuneteller — until she decided to break away. That first call unraveled a story spanning multiple continents, hundreds of years, and complex metaphysical realities. 

     Follow "Foretold" to hear new episodes every Tuesday. 

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    9 mins
  • BONUS: Conversations with David Weil & Nikki Toscano | 6
    Jun 24 2020

    On this special Bonus Episode of PAPERCLIP, host Michael Ian Black talks with David Weil and Nikki Toscano, the showrunners and executive producers of Amazon Studios’ Emmy©-eligible original drama series, HUNTERS.

    Set in 1977 New York City, HUNTERS follows a team of vigilantes on a mission to hunt down Nazi war criminals living in America. As it draws inspiration from real-life events (including Operation Paperclip), HUNTERS blends the gravity of World War II history with the gusto of an action-packed comic book -- all while tackling big questions about good and evil, justice and vengeance, and whether it’s possible to make peace with a haunted past.

    In their conversations with Michael, David and Nikki reveal some of the deeply personal stories that informed this truly unique series, which is currently streaming on Prime Video.

    This is a paid podcast funded Amazon Studios. The Los Angeles Times newsroom was not involved in the production of this podcast. The views expressed on this podcast are not necessarily the views of Amazon Studios or the Los Angeles Times.

    Produced with support from Treefort Media.

    Show More Show Less
    28 mins
  • Military & Industry | 5
    Jun 17 2020

    Operation Paperclip began as a temporary program -- but before long, its German recruits were given a path to American citizenship, and men who worked for the Nazi regime suddenly became men who lived next door.

    Previously on PAPERCLIP, comedian Michael Ian Black and historian Monique Laney examined Paperclippers who achieved public recognition. But what about the hundreds whose names didn’t make headlines? Where were they, and what did they do? As our hosts and historian Michael Neufeld explore Paperclip’s connection to the United States military and American industry, they reveal some surprising answers to these questions.

    Finally, Michael and Monique reflect on everything they’ve talked about -- and discuss how confronting a painful past is essential to creating a brighter future.

    Attention PAPERCLIP subscribers! Next week, stay tuned for a special Bonus Episode featuring Michael Ian Black’s conversations with David Weil and Nikki Toscano, the showrunners and executive producers of Amazon Studios’ Emmy-eligible original drama series, HUNTERS.

    This is a paid podcast funded by Amazon Studios. The Los Angeles Times newsroom was not involved in the production of this podcast. The views expressed on this podcast are not necessarily the views of Amazon Studios or the Los Angeles Times.

    Produced with support from Treefort Media.

    Show More Show Less
    42 mins

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