The incident at Stagg Field

Journal Article · Mon Nov 30 23:00:00 EST 1992 · Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/00963402.1992.11460135· OSTI ID:6901905

Moore, M

A brief history of the events leading up to the first controlled release of atomic energy under the abandoned West Stands of Scagg Field at the University of Chicago on December 2, 1942. This experiment was a milestone in a multifaceted project geared toward producing an atomic bomb in time to affect the outcome of World War II. This article traces the origins of the Manhattan Project from the first letter written by Einstein to the first successful graphite modulated chain reacting pile and including a brief afterward on the use of the bombs produced by this project on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Other articles in this magazine also discuss various aspects of the project and serve, along with this article, as a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the first controlled chain reaction.

• OSTI ID: 6901905
• Journal Information: Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists; (United States), Journal Name: Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists; (United States) Vol. 48:10; ISSN BASIAP; ISSN 0096-5243
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE
450000* -- Military Technology
Weaponry
& National Defense
CHAIN REACTIONS
ENERGY
FISSION
GRAPHITE MODERATED REACTORS
HISTORICAL ASPECTS
NUCLEAR ENERGY
NUCLEAR PHYSICS
NUCLEAR REACTIONS
NUCLEAR WEAPONS
PHYSICS
REACTORS
WEAPONS