The M-29 Davy Crockett tactical nuclear recoilless rifle. (Jeep-mounted, no PALs, the rocket's flight range was less than its lethal radius of effect: the crew were supposed to fire it over a hill then dive under their jeep for cover.)
People not only imagined these things, they built them and deployed them in the stone-cold expectation of using them in anger.
Look, just read this wikipedia entry about the British Blue Peacock nuclear device, and boggle:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Peacock
Yes. It's a chicken-heated atomic landmine. Not a joke: it was a Real Thing.
And so was this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davy_Crockett_%28nuclear_device...
The M-29 Davy Crockett tactical nuclear recoilless rifle. (Jeep-mounted, no PALs, the rocket's flight range was less than its lethal radius of effect: the crew were supposed to fire it over a hill then dive under their jeep for cover.)
People not only imagined these things, they built them and deployed them in the stone-cold expectation of using them in anger.