On July 19, 1957, five volunteers stood directly below a nuclear detonation that took place 10,000 feet (or 18,000 feet — reports vary) above their heads. This is the film of that event, starting at one minute before detonation.

Money quote: “My only regrets right now are that everybody couldn’t have been out here at ground zero with us.”

At least two of the men lived past the age of 80.

Via The Week.