GoKawiilUniversity of Chicago marks 83rd anniversary of Chicago Pile-1 nuclear reactor
On December 2, 1942, scientists at the University of Chicago's Metallurgical Laboratory achieved the first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction using the Chicago Pile, a 20-foot stack of graphite blocks and uranium built under Stagg Field. The reactor ran for about 30 minutes before being shut down, with cadmium control rods as its only safety mechanism, and the experiment was conducted without informing university or city officials.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The Chicago Pile experiment demonstrated the feasibility of controlled nuclear fission, laying the groundwork for both nuclear power generation and the atomic weapons developed during the Manhattan Project. Retelling this history underscores how experimental science in that era proceeded with far less oversight and safety protocol than would be expected today, a point the government report cited in the piece seems to acknowledge.
- The Chicago Pile achieved criticality on December 2, 1942, marking the first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction.
- The reactor consisted of 40,000 graphite blocks with embedded uranium, built without radioactive shielding.
- City and university officials were unaware of the experiment despite its acknowledged risks.
The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes — This Pulitzer-winning history dives deep into the science and people behind Chicago Pile-1 and the dawn of the nuclear age. It's the perfect companion for anyone fascinated by the story of Fermi's team and the birth of nuclear reactors.
See The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: newyorker.com — Alex Wellerstein, 2026-09-28
Published there as: “Remembering the Chicago Pile, the First Nuclear Reactor”
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