Steve long time...
The EBW were developed in WWII for precise explosive triggers in nuclear devices.
EGG did some of the photography.
See the TRW streak cam images and 1963 Scientific American article on Exploding Wires.
Enjoy!
Jon
PS: I read the SCI AM art and was inspired,
I built HV supply with Ford ignition coil and 1B3, to charge a box of oil caps. I used a porcelain knife switch to trigger.
Current pulse was somehow sampled and observed on a DIY tube scope copy of Heathkit, with surplus 3" long persistence phosphor CRT.
Won a 1st science fair prize in NYC...
Jean-Paul