Atomic Bomb Timeline

Early Nuclear Science

Throughout 1895-1898 physicist and scientists have discovered x-rays, radioactivity, polonium, and radium which would all play key roles in the creation of the deadly atomic bomb.(Atomic Timeline) The discovery of the many components of an atom is uncovered by Ernest Rutherford and physicist James Chadwick discovers the neutron.(Atomic Timeline) Later on around 1933 Leo Szilard thinks of the idea of using the reaction between neutron collisions along with atomic nuclei releasing energy which could possibly be used to make bombs.(Atomic Timeline) The discovery of a fission or the splitting of an atom helps many to realize the possibility of a bomb with an immense release in energy and radioactivity.(Atomic Timeline) In order to fuel the atomic bomb, the use of ingredients that are Uranium-235 and Plutonium-239 are needed.(Atomic Timeline) Also on March 1939 Enrico Fermi and Herbert Anderson discover that two neutrons are produced for every one that is goes through fission.(Atomic Timeline) Physicists recreate the fission experiment and also try to find the correct ingredients differentiating between elements which could possibly undergo fissions.(Atomic Timeline)

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The organization of the Atomic Bomb

On February 1940, Otto Frisch and Rudolf Peierls consider the possibilities of many thing such as uranium-235 being a quicker fission, the many effects of the atomic bomb, and the assembly methods of the bomb. Proceeding to April 9, 1940 as Germany invades Denmark & Norway.(Atomic Timeline) Throughout 1940 many meetings that are created for the Uranium Committee are made in order to solve the many problems they have such as budget.(Atomic Timeline) During one of the meetings George Kistiakowsky suggests the use of gaseous diffusion as a possibility for producing uranium 235.(Atomic Timeline) May 10, 1940 Germany launches its assault attacking Holland, Belgium, and France.(Atomic Timeline) June 27,1940 is the creation date of the NDRC which helps organize U.S. scientific resources for war including research the atom and the fission of uranium.(Atomic Timeline)

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Development and Creation of the Atomic Bomb

October 1939, President Franklin Roosevelt conceived of the possibility of the developing of a nuclear weapon after receiving a letter from Albert Einstein.(Atomic Timeline) Albert suggested that the Germans were researching on the creation of atomic bombs and that the U.S. should do the same to counteract them.(Atomic Timeline) By August 1942 the Manhattan Project, codename of the secret US government research that researched and created nuclear weapons for WW2, was commenced.(Atomic Timeline) Around 1944 six thousand scientists and engineers from leading industrial research labs which were at work on the development of the world's first nuclear weapon.(Atomic Timeline) After further research July 16, 1945 the first nuclear bomb was detonated at a test facility at Alamogordo, New Mexico.(Atomic Timeline) From that only explosion alone it had created a mushroom cloud from the desert floor and house windows from over fifty miles away were shattered.(Atomic Timeline) This first project had painted the path for future nuclear bombs to be made becoming one of the most devastating and most feared nuclear weapons ever created.(Atomic Timeline)

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Ending WW2

On May 1945, the Allies had defeated Germany months before the completion of the atomic bomb but the battle between Japan continued.(Atomic Timeline) It later had seemed that an invasion of Japan itself could be the only necessary action to force them to surrender.(Atomic Timeline) August 6, 1945 an American B-29 Bomber named the Enola Gay dropped the first bomb on Hiroshima hitting the city with the force of 12,500 tons of TNT.(Atomic Timeline) The bomb about killed 140,000 people instantly or died to injury or the poisoning radiation.(Atomic Timeline) Truman had called for surrender the day after the bombing but the Japanese government still refused.(Atomic Timeline) So on August 9 another bomb was dropped on the city of Nagasaki killing 80,000 people.(Atomic Timeline) A total of 210,000 people were killed from the two bombs including the destruction of the cities and the radiation that came along with the bombs.(Atomic Timeline) The Japanese were relentless it did not want to accept defeat being very persistent throughout the war.(Atomic Timeline) Days later after the bombing the Soviet Union declared war on Japan forcing the Japanese government to sign an unconditional surrender. (Atomic Timeline)

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Journey of the Atomic Bomb

Throughout 1946 to 1949 many test and experiments were being tested and created as the world had not yet know the consequences of nuclear weapons. In 1946 the united nations made the atomic Energy commision. Then in May 21 1946 there was an accident when conducting an experiment with two half spheres of beryllium and plutonium resulting in the death of Louis Slotin. The US in 1946 had conducted experiments on Bikini Atoll to test how nuclear weapons affected naval ships. Later, on August 1, 1946 President Truman signs the Atomic Energy Act. On December 25 , 1946 the Soviet Union was able to get a nuclear chain reaction and then on August 29, 1949 the Soviet Union was able to make their first atomic bomb. Finally, on october 1949 the General Advisory Committee urged the United States to pursue an even greater nuclear weapon.

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Nuclear Arms Race

Around the 1950s, President Truman continued the research on the development of bombs such as hydrogen and super bombs.(Atomic Timeline) Throughout this time period the U.S. also continued the practice of detonating nuclear weapons on test sites in order to analyze their results and creations.(Atomic Timeline)Over and over the U.S. had created stronger and stronger bombs becoming more devastating and leading to the U.S. gaining immense power. Likewise, other nations start conducting research and projects on their nuclear weapons such as France, China, India, and Pakistan most likely due to the fear of U.S. creating such dangerous weaponry. (Atomic Timeline)

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Present Day Nuclear Weapons

September 23, 1992 the United States conducted the last nuclear test at an underground facility in Nevada being that last of 1,032 tests that were carried out since The Trinity Test(Codename of the first detonation of the atomic bomb).(Atomic Timeline) Many other nations later on has tested and researched nuclear weapons for use in war.(Atomic Timeline) May 11, 1998 India detonates its first nuclear bomb and was tested without warning causing outrage and concern throughout the international community.(Atomic Timeline) May 28, 1998 Pakistan detonates its first nuclear weapon in response to the nuclear testing of India's which provoked lots of fear and conflict in one of the world's most volatile areas.(Atomic Timeline) March 11, 2011 Fukishima Diichi's nuclear plant accidentally occurs after earthquakes that occurred through the coast of Japan.(Atomic Timeline)

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