Pat Flannery wrote:

The "Rods
From God" concept may have shown up decades earlier.

If only via some dense piece falling off during tests.

"WTF!?!? Did you *arm* that XB-227, Colonel?"

"N-no sir, General, sir."

"Then how do you explain that $#%^ CRATER 200 miles east of Nellis?"

"Let me get back to you on that, sir..."