Atomic Pile
| Title | Atomic Pile |
| View | Stagg Field (Old) 4 |
| Series | II: Buildings and Grounds |
| Description | Scale model of the first nuclear reactor erected beneath the west stands of the University of Chicago's Stagg Field. On December 2, 1942 (as depicted), a group of scientists under the direction of Enrico Fermi achieved the first self-sustaining chain reaction and thereby initiated a controlled release of nuclear energy. Fermi and his colleagues stood on the balcony (right) observing the instruments as these recorded the neutron intensity in the pile. |
| Alternate Name(s) | Metallurgical Laboratory, Manhattan Engineer District |
| Subject Terms | Models (Representations) | Nuclear reactors | Science rooms and equipment | Manhattan Project (U.S.) |
| Photographer | Argonne National Laboratory |
| Photograph Date | 1942-12-02 |
| Physical Format | Photographic prints; 17.9 x 24.0 cm |
| Location | University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois |
| Campus Grid | CH01 |
| Collection | Archival Photographic Files |
| Repository | University of Chicago Library, Special Collections Research Center |
| Image Identifier | apf2-00504 |
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