Once again we woke to rain on the roof and overcast skies. The weathermen keep saying clearing skies and sun but we’ve only gotten short glimpses so far.
We heard sirens that seemed too close –like in the park close. Sure enough a fire engine and ambulance pulled up behind us to another camper. A little while later a women living in the camper was brought out on a stretcher with 02 in place. I must say we saw no sense or urgency when the fire truck or ambulance arrived. The men slowly got out of their trucks and slowly walked to the door – I wanted to go out and light a fire under them to get going. After loading the lady into the ambulance it was another 15 min. before they left. Hope our neighbor will be OK.
It continued to rain but since we will be touring the museum for the biggest part of the day the weather didn’t matter. We got to the museum around 11 am between rain drops.
The museum is very big and we knew it would take us at least 4 hours to get through. The staff was very helpful and recommended that we begin at the Manhattan Project display room. American history has become an interest of mine (Ron has always been interested) so reading the details of the Manhattan Project and the ultimate results that ended WW II was enlightening and frightening.
Enlightening to know how well our government was able to rally the manpower and resources to develop a warhead that could end the war but also frightening for the very same reasons.
The people in the Tennessee valley that were affected by the project were displaced with just three weeks notice. These were many of the same people that had been displaced by the Tennessee Valley Authority 10 years earlier to build the Norris Dam. Now many of the same people had to pack up and leave with as much as they could carry leaving un-harvested crops behind. And some left properties that had been in their families for 200 years.
Despite the fact many people were angry, the majority understood the move was for the good of the country . Initially when goods were coming into the area towns were sending them back to the manufacturers because there was no city of Oak Ridge. That caused a few problems.
At one point Oak Ridge housed 75, 0000 people all working toward the same common good, except they did not know what they were contributing too . All they were told was that their efforts would help end the war.
Only the President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a few top military men and scientists knew about the Manhattan Project and its goal - Separating U 235 from U 238 , harness the energy and build a bomb to end all wars. Vice-President Harry Truman was left out of the loop and did not become aware of the project until he took over as President when Roosevelt died of a stroke while in office. That must have hurt – your own president didn’t trust second in command with the info !!!!!!!
Homes were being built at enormous speed in Oak Ridge. It was said when you went to work or school you had better know the number on your house because another 300 would be built that same day all exactly alike. They were brought in three modular pieces and put together in 30 minutes. Plywood with no insulation – chilly in the winter very hot in the summer. The rent was $38.00 a month , utilities paid by the government
This flat top home was one of thousands auctioned and or dismantled when the project was completed. The couple that bought this home used it as a beach house for over 55 years then donated it back to the Science Center several years ago. This is the 520 SF two bedroom one bath home with kitchen and living room. There were families of up to 9 people living in these homes.
During our time at the museum they had several videos regarding the building of the A-Bomb and the facility built to separate U-235 from U-238. When the building was completed it was the largest building in the world.
All the rooftops in the picture below are part of the structure,
A smaller example of diffusers used to separate U-238 from U-235 (1500 were built and used)
There were other demonstrations that included an electrical display with a Vanda Graft Generator. They were looking for volunteers to participate in the demonstration and much to my surprise Ronnie raised his hand. (Way out of character for him –who is this man????)
It was certainly a HAIR-RAISING experience for him. LOL
It was a fun and educational day at the museum. On the way out we stopped to try the Parabolic Whisper Dishes set about 30 feet apart. It was cool that Ron could whisper into one and I could hear him clearly 30 feet away.
We were told that we could drive to other sites in Oak Ridge to view the remnants of the buildings and to check out the overlook of the actual facility. Unfortunately, all entrances were closed to the public so we were unable to get a closer look at our history. Also, unfortunately most everything that was the original Oak Ridge is being demolished. Another part of American History lost to progress.
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