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Contrary to widespread belief, the infamous red phone connecting the White House to the Kremlin never actually existed. The concept for this direct communication line emerged well before the Cuban Missile Crisis, and its origin can be traced back to a fictional narrative. Specifically, it stemmed from the book “Red Alert,” which narrates the tale of an Air Force General who takes it upon himself to initiate a nuclear attack against the Soviet Union without any authorization. This fictional scenario underscored the urgent need for improved communication between the superpowers to prevent miscalculations during tense periods, a theme that ultimately influenced the establishment of the real hotline.