As maybe many historial versions of events
which didn't quite occur - at least for the reasons assigned later (?)
(Remember the popular wisdom re the Hindenburg fire? Despite some revealing evidence concerning the paint (close enough to thermite!) in old Zeppelin AG files, uncovered by the investigator just a few years ago - hydrogen got a bad rap, curtailed development in other areas for decades. All until one curious scientist did some forensic work ~'97)
Of Course it's satire.. but you can't appreciate that without knowing the Authorized version, now can you?
A.
PS but good enough satire that a kid could get (most of) it too - re the Cuppy book