Final answer:
The passage supports the claim that magnetohydrodynamic drive technology is impractical for submarine propulsion by outlining technical challenges, including excessive power demands, noise and corrosion issues, and detectable byproducts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The details provided in the passage about the magnetohydrodynamic drive of a submarine in 'The Story of Great Inventions' help develop a claim that such technology, while conceptually revolutionary for stealth warfare in theory, is impractical in real-world applications. The text dissects the fictional concept popularized by Tom Clancy's novel 'The Hunt for Red October' and contrasts it with physical realities. Highlighting the drawbacks, such as the requirement for extraordinarily high magnetic fields or electric currents for propulsion, the noise from electrolysis, trailing detectable byproducts, and rapid corrosion of metal parts, the passage underscores the impracticality of this silent propulsion system. Therefore, these technical details support the claim that, despite its potential, the magnetohydrodynamic drive remains in the realm of fiction.