Graphite Brick CP-1. Chicago Pile -1. Site of the First Self-Sustaining Nuclear Reaction. Stagg Field - The Univer...

Description

Graphite Brick CP-1
Chicago Pile -1
Site of the First Self-Sustaining Nuclear Reaction
Stagg Field - The University of Chicago
Chicago, Illinois, USA

A unique, rare piece of Americana, this Graphite Brick from the historic Chicago Pile ("CP-1") represents material from the facility at Stagg Field at the University of Chicago, where the first nuclear reaction was performed on December 2, 1942. This was the breakthrough step in the Manhattan Project, which developed the first atomic bomb. The piece was part of the world's first artificial nuclear reactor which once contained some 45,000 Graphite blocks like this. They were structural elements designed to hold "hockey-puck" sized pieces of Uranium place. Inside an acrylic display block, the black rectangular section measuring 3 inches (7.6 cm) in length is inscribed with white lettering: "Graphite From CP-1, First Nuclear Reactor, December 2, 1942, Stagg Field - The University of Chicago" on the top as well as an insignia of the "Argonne National Laboratory" and emblem on its side. This represents a superb example of scientific history that helped usher in the "Atomic Age" during the World War II era in America. Such pieces may test for low levels of radioactivity but are considered safe.
Measurements: 3.81 x 2.85 x 1.25 inches (9.68 x 7.23 x 3.17 cm)

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