8 episodes
Tripwire Savannah Morning News
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- News
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5.0 • 10 Ratings
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Tripwire, a production of the Savannah Morning News, investigates the 1971 chemical explosion at the Thiokol Chemical Corp. plant in Woodbine, Georgia. The blast killed 29 people, predominately Black women, and injured nearly 50 others, leading to decades of legal battles between the families of victims and survivors, and the company and U.S. government.
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Tripwire, Episode 7: Remembering Woodbine
It's been more than 50 years since the Thiokol explosion. Today, it's remembered by two lines in history books. But one group aims to change that.
Follow along with our visual episode companion at SavannahNow.com.
Other media in this episode, including songs, newscasts and speeches were used for educational purposes.
Executive producers: Anne and Pat Longstreth, Nancy Guan, Zach Dennis
Host: Nancy Guan
Music: Andrew Sovine
Special thanks to Jannie Everette with the Thiokol Memorial Project -
Tripwire, Episode 6: The Price of a Life
While the courts had come to a resolution on who was liable for the 1971 explosion at Thiokol, it wasn't the end of the road for many of the victims. The next years forced many survivors and family members of the victims to relive the day over and over again in front of a judge.
What was the cost of a life? As litigators calculated what a person's life meant in dollars, the families just wished they could try and forget the day that hurt them deeply.
Follow along with our visual episode companion at SavannahNow.com.
Other media in this episode, including songs, newscasts and speeches were used for educational purposes.
Executive producers: Anne and Pat Longstreth, Nancy Guan, Zach Dennis
Host: Nancy Guan
Music: Andrew Sovine
Special thanks to Jannie Everette with the Thiokol Memorial Project -
Tripwire, Episode 5: The Normalization of Deviance
The dust had begun to settle in Woodbine and a new owner had taken over at the former Thiokol site. But the infamous day still lingered in the minds of survivors and victims as the legal battle began.
Thiokol and the U.S. government were pointing fingers at one another, but the former was protected by Georgia law. So the victims' families and the survivors went after the only one left: the federal government.
Follow along with our visual episode companion at SavannahNow.com.
Other media in this episode, including songs, newscasts and speeches were used for educational purposes.
Executive producers: Anne and Pat Longstreth, Nancy Guan, Zach Dennis
Host: Nancy Guan
Music: Andrew Sovine
Special thanks to Jannie Everette with the Thiokol Memorial Project -
Tripwire, Episode 4: The Whole World Changed For Me
After February 3, things were different in Woodbine. Families were broken, mothers lost and Thiokol wanted everyone back to work soon. Condolences came in from President Richard Nixon to Georgia Gov. Jimmy Carter, and the state worked to help those affected by the blast to get their homes in order.
But that came and went... the effects of the blast still lingered.
Follow along with our visual episode companion at SavannahNow.com.
Other media in this episode, including songs, newscasts and speeches were used for educational purposes.
Executive producers: Anne and Pat Longstreth, Nancy Guan, Zach Dennis
Host: Nancy Guan
Music: Andrew Sovine
Special thanks to Jannie Everette with the Thiokol Memorial Project -
Tripwire, Episode 3: The Fire Had A Voice
LISTENER WARNING: There will be graphic descriptions of the explosion and its aftermath in this episode. Listener discretion advised.
February 3, 1971 seemed like any other day when Thiokol workers entered the plant that morning for their shift.
By 10:53 a.m., the world as they knew it would change in an instant.
Follow along with our visual episode companion at SavannahNow.com.
Other media in this episode, including songs, newscasts and speeches were used for educational purposes.
Executive producers: Anne and Pat Longstreth, Nancy Guan, Zach Dennis
Host: Nancy Guan
Music: Andrew Sovine
Special thanks to Jannie Everette with the Thiokol Memorial Project -
Tripwire, Episode 2: Woodbine, We Have A Problem
As the U.S. was embroiled in the space race and the Vietnam War, Thiokol saw an opportunity in Woodbine in both realms. After securing a space contract with NASA, the prospect of 2,000 jobs in the small town was on the horizon until budget cuts from the federal government cut it short. Then came Vietnam and the need for weapons such as the trip flare.
With the new contract came ample employment opportunities for African American women in Woodbine, but it also came at a risk.
Follow along with our visual episode companion at SavannahNow.com.
Other media in this episode, including songs, newscasts and speeches were used for educational purposes.
Executive producers: Anne and Pat Longstreth, Nancy Guan, Zach Dennis
Host: Nancy Guan
Music: Andrew Sovine
Special thanks to Jannie Everette with the Thiokol Memorial Project
Customer Reviews
Never knew!
I’m from around this area and have never heard this story. It’s incredibly interesting AND the score is so moving! I can’t wait for more episodes.