This month features the sculpture by Henry Moore of Nuclear Energy, located on the University of Chicago Campus near the approximate site of Enrico Fermi’s Chicago Pile-1, the world’s first nuclear reactor. The sculpture has been described as representing both the creative (symbolized by the pillars with arches like a protective cathedral on the bottom) and the destructive (mushroom cloud on the top slightly resembling a skull) sides of nuclear energy.
The sculpture was dedicated on the 25th anniversary of the initiation of the first self-sustaining controlled nuclear reaction by Enrico Fermi on December 2, 1942. It was unveiled at exactly 3:36 PM on December 2, 1967.
Also included in this month’s calendar are some significant Atomic Events in July which, of course, includes the Trinity Test on July 16, 1945. During July, from 1945 through 1990, 72 nuclear tests, both atomospheric and underground, were conducted.
Be sure to download your calendar today!
Additional programs in July, Aug, first week of September in Richland WA see the Manhattan Project National Historical Park Calendar for details https://www.nps.gov/mapr/planyourvisit/calendar.htm
This week:
Atomic Explorations week of July 14. FREE, 2:30 PM 2000 Logston Blvd Richland. Beat the heat – see a cool program on “hot” topics!
Day Date Presenter Topic
Monday July 14 Marty Zizzi B Reactor Virtual Tour
Tuesday July 15 Rick Raymond From Creation to Detonation The Story of Pu & the Manhattan Project
Wednesday July 16 Marie Cobb The Hanford Reach of the Columbia River and the Manhattan Project
Thursday July 17 Gene Carbaugh Was It Safe? The story of Health Physics in the Early Years of the Manhattan Project
Friday July 18 Rick Zimmerman Early Photography & The Manhattan Project
Saturday July 19 Steve Faulk B Reactor Virtual Tour