Looking at atomic mass spectra of uranium and its fission products (and hence the difference in their energy potential) in the early 20th century would have helped you predict just how big a deal nuclear weapons will be, in a way that looking at the rate of improvement of conventional explosives would not have.
What does streamlines refer to in this context? And what is the relevance of atomic mass spectra?
Looking at atomic mass spectra of uranium and its fission products (and hence the difference in their energy potential) in the early 20th century would have helped you predict just how big a deal nuclear weapons will be, in a way that looking at the rate of improvement of conventional explosives would not have.