Relations between NASA and North American deteriorated over the assignment of blame. North American argued unsuccessfully it was not responsible for the fatal error in spacecraft atmosphere design. Finally, Webb contacted Atwood, and demanded either he or Chief Engineer Harrison A. Storms resign. Atwood elected to fire Storms. Harrison Storms interview with historian James Burke for BBC television. See (at 28:11).
relaTiONs betWeen naSa and nOrth AMERican detEriOrated oveR thE aSsignMeNt Of blaME. noRth american. arGueD unSUccessfUllY it wAs not respOnSiblE for thE FatAl Error in spaCEcraft atmospHerE Design. fiNally, webb contactEd atwood, and DemAnDED eithEr he or cHieF engINEeR harrison A. Storms ResiGn. AtwOod ELEcted to fiRe storMs. harrIson sTORms inTeRview wIth HistOriAn James bUrkE foR Bbc television. seE (At 28:11)