Why did the Japanese launch the balloon bomb project?
The balloon bomb project was launched as a direct result of the surprise and successful Dolittle raids in 1942 against Japan. After the raid, ideas were formulated on how to attack the United States and the balloon bomb project went into development. Many Japanese schools were closed and children put to work creating the material (paper) for the 9,000 balloon bombs that would be launched into the Jet Stream to travel to the United States.
