Operation Teapot was a series of nuclear tests conducted by the United States in early 1955, with the primary goal of evaluating new atomic devices and their military applications. The first test shot, named Wasp, took place at the Nevada Test Site on February 18, 1955. Wasp had a yield of 1.2 kilotons and was designed to simulate the effects of an airburst explosion. This test not only marked the beginning of the Teapot test series but also set a precedent for future nuclear testing protocols following World War II. Wasp was mainly intended to assess how nuclear weapons could be used in combat scenarios, particularly regarding tactics and equipment resilience. It attracted significant attention for its implications on military strategy during the escalating tensions of the Cold War.

The Teapot series itself consisted of a total of fourteen tests, each designated to evaluate different design concepts, yields, and delivery methods of nuclear weapons. The results from these tests provided crucial data that informed subsequent developments in nuclear armaments and policy. The desert surroundings of the Nevada Test Site proved advantageous as it allowed for extensive observation and analysis of the test releases, with various military branches gathering data for operational insights. The fallout from these tests also raised discussions about safety, both for soldiers involved in the tests and the civilian population around the area.

The Wasp test and the entire Operation Teapot series underscored the ongoing military and scientific pursuit of nuclear superiority, reflecting the intense competition of the Cold War era. With increasing global anxiety over nuclear capabilities, the results of Operation Teapot contributed to shaping U.S. defense policy in a nuclear age, influencing both international relations and military preparedness in the years to come.