The Formula (1980)
David Byrd: Obermann
Photos
Quotes
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Paul Obermann, Chief Engineer Berlin Power & Light Co. : In Germany, one does not bring police into matters which concern the past.
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Paul Obermann, Chief Engineer Berlin Power & Light Co. : At the end of the war they had developed a truly remarkable catalyst. The catalyst lasted for over one million tons of coal.
Barney Caine : Then the formula for that catalyst would still be considered secret?
Paul Obermann, Chief Engineer Berlin Power & Light Co. : Without question. Whoever possessed the formula would need only coal and a basic chemical technology to be self-sufficient in energy.
Barney Caine : Then it would follow that certain interests wouldn't exactly be thrilled with the introduction of mass-produced synthetic fuel made from coal.
Paul Obermann, Chief Engineer Berlin Power & Light Co. : Obviously not. They would no longer enjoy huge profits from the scarcity of natural crude. The entire power structure in the world would shift from the Arabs and OPEC back to the United States. After all, Mr. Caine, America has the largest deposits of coal on this planet. The forces involved are colossal.
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Paul Obermann, Chief Engineer Berlin Power & Light Co. : [Meeting at the Berlin Zoo, second floor aquarium, near closing time] Keep your voice down, Mr. Caine. We have only a few minutes. Now ask your questions.
Barney Caine : Did you see Tom Neeley early in January?
Paul Obermann, Chief Engineer Berlin Power & Light Co. : Yes. We met several times.
Barney Caine : Was Kay Neeley with him?
Paul Obermann, Chief Engineer Berlin Power & Light Co. : On one occasion. We had dinner.
Barney Caine : How did you come to know Tom?
Paul Obermann, Chief Engineer Berlin Power & Light Co. : We met many years ago in Hamburg.
Barney Caine : Under what circumstance?
Paul Obermann, Chief Engineer Berlin Power & Light Co. : In the late spring of 1945,I was captured by the British and taken to their Intelligence Headquarters in Hamburg. Major Neeley was there on a temporary assignment. He worked with me and a Wehrmacht general named Kladen on a secret project, code name "Genesis."
Barney Caine : What did Genesis stand for?
Paul Obermann, Chief Engineer Berlin Power & Light Co. : Synthetic fuel.
Barney Caine : When you say fuel, you mean gasoline?
Paul Obermann, Chief Engineer Berlin Power & Light Co. : Yes, of course gasoline... Oil, propane, methane, thick lubricants, natural gas... even butter. All made from coal. The process is called hydrogenation.
Barney Caine : How important was Genesis?
Paul Obermann, Chief Engineer Berlin Power & Light Co. : The entire war-machine ran on synthetic fuel. Germany had no natural crude, but we possessed great quantities of coal. As does your country. The Genesis formula provided us with a pure synthetic oil producing no pollution. Come. We must go. They are closing.