2237 Trinity Drive, Los Alamos
The town of Los Alamos, New Mexico did not exist until 1943 when it was decided that this location would be the centre for research, design and final assembly of the first atomic bombs - to be dropped on Japan.
It existed in secret. It wasn't on any map, no mail was delivered there (mail went to Santa Fe instead) and famous scientists were given false names. Security fences, patrolled by the military deterred anyone curious.
After the war work on atomic bombs continued. To this day there is large secure area (now separated from the town) where work on a variety of things nuclear and otherwise continues.
No unauthorised outsider was allowed to enter the town until 1957. Today the town is open to visitors, with an atomic museum and historic buildings available to visit.
Parts of the town were contaminated with nuclear materials - most sinisterly Plutonium but others too. Close to where this building stands was the location where most of the work on Plutonium took place. Unfortunately significant amounts of that deadly element escaped from the old building during the war and years later a big decontamination operation of the ground was necessary. I wonder how many people who work here are aware of the history of this location?
Even today there are still concerns about nuclear contamination that still exists in areas outside the town - but not very far away.
2237 Trinity Drive, Los Alamos
The town of Los Alamos, New Mexico did not exist until 1943 when it was decided that this location would be the centre for research, design and final assembly of the first atomic bombs - to be dropped on Japan.
It existed in secret. It wasn't on any map, no mail was delivered there (mail went to Santa Fe instead) and famous scientists were given false names. Security fences, patrolled by the military deterred anyone curious.
After the war work on atomic bombs continued. To this day there is large secure area (now separated from the town) where work on a variety of things nuclear and otherwise continues.
No unauthorised outsider was allowed to enter the town until 1957. Today the town is open to visitors, with an atomic museum and historic buildings available to visit.
Parts of the town were contaminated with nuclear materials - most sinisterly Plutonium but others too. Close to where this building stands was the location where most of the work on Plutonium took place. Unfortunately significant amounts of that deadly element escaped from the old building during the war and years later a big decontamination operation of the ground was necessary. I wonder how many people who work here are aware of the history of this location?
Even today there are still concerns about nuclear contamination that still exists in areas outside the town - but not very far away.