Manhattan Project Scientists & Leaders

Kenneth Bainbridge: “No one who saw it could forget it, a foul and awesome display.” Enrico Fermi: “About 40 seconds after the explosion, the air blast reached me. I tried to estimate its strength by dropping from about six feet small pieces of paper before, during, and after the passage of the blast wave. Since, […]

The scene inside the shelter was dramatic beyond words. In and around the shelter were some twenty-odd people concerned with last minute arrangements prior to firing the shot.

A PETITION TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES July 17, 1945 Discoveries of which the people of the United States are not aware may affect the welfare of this nation in the near future. The liberation of the atomic power which has been achieved places atomic bombs in the hands of the Army. It […]

Science Panel’s Report to the Interim Committee June 16, 1945 TOP SECRET RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE IMMEDIATE USE OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS You have asked us to comment on the initial use of the new weapon. This use, in our opinion, should be such as to promote a satisfactory adjustment of our international relations. At the same […]

From “Voices of the Manhattan Project,” 2002 interview with Thomas O. Jones I was in my office when the phone rang. Washington was calling, which happened steadily throughout the day. But this was to report that President Roosevelt had just died in Warm Springs. The first thing I had to do was get to Oppenheimer. His office […]

201 Baker, Nicholas, 5 February 1944.   MEMORANDUM FOR:    Dr. R. C. Tolman, Office of Scientific Research & Development, Washington, D. C. Subject: Nicholas Baker. 1. At the conclusion of a recent report of the technical surveillance of the Bakers, the reporting agent made the following comment: “Both the father and son appear to be […]

From “Voices of the Manhattan Project,” 2005 Interview with Stirling Colgate Before any of the important visitors arrived, we knew that the decision had been made that this would be a laboratory. About a month or two earlier, a “mega-bulldozer” came through the place and set about redoing things—roads and everything else. The construction work was being […]

Office for Emergency ManagementOffice of Scientific Research and Development1530 P Street NW.Washington, D. C. Vannevar BushDirector February 25, 1943 Dr. J. R. OppenheimerUniversity of CaliforniaBerkeley, California Dear Dr. Oppenheimer: We are addressing this letter to you as the Scientific Director of the special laboratory in New Mexico in order to confirm our many conversations on […]

1. The suggestion that the world should be informed regarding tube alloys, with a view to an international agreement regarding its control and use, is not accepted. The matter should continue to be regarded as of the utmost secrecy; but when a “bomb” is finally available, it might perhaps, after mature consideration, be used against […]

From Los Alamos From Below by Richard Feynman I was working in my office one day, when Bob Wilson came in. I was working—[laughter] what the hell, I’ve got lots funnier yet; what are you laughing at?—Bob Wilson came in and said that he had been funded to do a job that was a secret and he […]