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Enrico Fermi and the Nuclear Chain Reaction

Featuring information about the first self-sustaining nuclear reaction (chain reaction) and the role of Enrico Fermi. Includes links to resources in the University of Chicago Library collections and to a variety of web resources.

Images from the archives

CP1 photo

Sketch of CP-1 experiment
[image id: apf2-00501]

CP1 apparatus photo

Photo of one layer of nuclear
pile [image id: apf2-00502]

4th anniversary gathering

4th Anniversary Reunion of
the Atomic Scientists
[image id: apf3-00232]

10th anniversary gathering

10th Anniversary Reunion of the Atomic Scientists
[image id: apf3-00233]

Research institutes dedication

Dedication of Research Institutes
[image id: apf2-06417]

Nuclear Energy dedication

Dedication of Nuclear Energy sculpture
[image id: apf2-05345]

Scientists who worked on CP1

Group portrait of scientists who worked on nuclear experiment
[image id: apf3-00234]

20th anniversary

Group portrait taken on occasion of 20th Anniversary of chain reaction
[image id: apf3-00242]

Unveiling the plaque on Stagg Field stands

Unveiling plaque honoring first controlled nuclear chain reaction
[image id: apf3-00224]

Laying cornerstone

Cornerstone laying ceremony for Research Institutes
[image id: apf2-06369]

Mrs. Fermi

Mrs. Fermi with dignitaries at 20th Anniversary Reunion
[image id: apf3-00236]

West stands of Stagg Field

Converted squash court under West Stands of Stagg Field
[image id: apf2-07646]

plaque on Stagg Field

Plaque on West Stands of Stagg Field
[image id: apf2-07750]

cosmic ray balloons

Cosmic radiation balloon experiment
[image id: apf3-00545]

cosmic ray balloons

Cosmic radiation balloon experiment
[image id: apf3-00569]

sketch of apparatus

Sketch of Chicago Pile 1 experiment
[image id: apf2-00503]

scale model

Scale model of nuclear pile experimental setup
[image id: apf2-00504]

Nuclear Energy installed

View of Nuclear Energy by Henry Moore
[image id: apf2-05336]

   

Contact Information

Andrea Twiss-Brooks
Director, Humanities and Area Studies
Chemistry and Geophysical Sciences Librarian
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