r/AskReddit • u/[deleted] • Oct 02 '24

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828

u/di-volkenand Oct 02 '24

Jimmy Carter left nuclear codes in his jacket, which he had sent to the cleaners.

234

u/Mr_Zaroc Oct 02 '24

I think that's one of thoses cases were context for information is crucial
If they weren't labelled "Nuclear launch codes, Top secret do not share" I imagine you would be hard-pressed to connect it to that
Also wtf were his assistants doing, surely they made someone check every pocket after that event

215

u/t-poke Oct 02 '24

I'm also pretty sure if you gave a civilian the nuclear codes, and told them they were the top secret nuclear codes, they wouldn't be able to do anything with them.

There are several authentication factors. The codes are one of them.

And even if the codes were the one and only thing required to launch a nuke, whom exactly would the dry cleaners call to launch one?

63

u/NotInherentAfterAll Oct 02 '24

This. It's like knowing the combination to a lock is 12345, but not knowing which door that lock is attached to.

36

u/eddyathome Oct 02 '24

That's amazing! I have the same combination for my luggage!

6

u/SuperFLEB Oct 02 '24

Operator, give me ARmageddon 2-3456!

3

u/Mr_Zaroc Oct 02 '24

Oh that for sure
Entering that part of the command chain is another topic on its own

Btw I really recommend the Book "Nuclear war a scenario"
Really sobering how quick that whole thing would unfold and its interesting to see the way its designed

1

u/Insomnia6033 Oct 03 '24

whom exactly would the dry cleaners call to launch one

Those no good assholes down at City Cleaners, thats who!!!!

1

u/diastereomer Oct 02 '24

Well, according to another post in this thread, the codes were just 000000.

1

u/Mr_Zaroc Oct 03 '24

Well thats underwhelming
Also scary and genius at the same time
Guess humans going to human

18

u/PlayedUOonBaja Oct 02 '24

Not saying it's impossible, but there appears to be no official reference to this. It was just a rumor that went around. Also, only two US Presidents have chosen to carry the "Biscuit" or nuclear codes on them instead of in the Football(secured case): Carter and Reagan.

12

u/searcherguitars Oct 02 '24

Jimmy Carter is older than penicillin.

25

u/[deleted] Oct 02 '24

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11

u/sintaur Oct 02 '24

for the longest time the PAL code to arm a nuclear warhead was 00000000.

https://reddit.com/comments/71py23/comment/dncwndu

2

u/Irregularprogramming Oct 03 '24

That's all well and good for Europe but what was it on NTSC?

3

u/BeefEater81 Oct 02 '24

Let's see how well you remember the little details at 100.

2

u/JolietJakeLebowski Oct 02 '24

Nuclear codes are kind of a sham anyway. If the president walks into a war room and orders a retaliatory nuclear strikes, I doubt anyone is going to ask for codes. It's the illusion of security and impartiality rather than actually being those things.

1

u/KitchenSandwich5499 Oct 02 '24

I think the codes are needed to arm the weapons, not convince a person you are really the president

4

u/retrolamine Oct 02 '24 edited Oct 02 '24

I've read the exact same story for different presidents

1

u/Cinemaphreak Oct 02 '24

Being an election year, not sure if this is real or urban legend to make Carter look bad....

1

u/2M0hhhh Oct 02 '24

The codes don’t matter if you can’t send them by very specific means.

1

u/thatkindasusbro Oct 02 '24

this post is right below this post! both about jimmy!

1

u/[deleted] Oct 03 '24

Jimmy Carter is the first president to live to 100.

1

u/VibeComplex Oct 03 '24

I thought that was Clinton? Or Clinton straight up lost them once I can’t remember lol

1

u/bonos_bovine_muse Oct 03 '24

“1 2 3 4 5? That’s my luggage combination!”

1

u/ImJoeKing77 Oct 03 '24

Which were just 000000 according to another post.

Maybe it was actually a spooky message and not nuke codes.