Los Alamos, Americas "Atomic City" That Appeared From Nowhere.
Dubbed "Project Y," the laboratory at Los Alamos, was nestled in the rugged mountains of northern New Mexico and was the final part in the expansive network responsible for crafting the first atomic bombs.
March 26, 2024
The genesis of Los Alamos came about when James Conant proposed to Vannevar Bush the formation of a committee, spearheaded by the Office of Scientific and Research Development and the Army, to delve into bomb development. Bush, in turn, brought this proposal to Vice President Henry Wallace, Secretary of War Henry Stimson, and General George Marshall, collectively known as the Top Policy Group.
By late September of that year, Leslie Groves had received orders to establish a committee focused on exploring military applications of the bomb. Concurrently, within the Manhattan Project scientific community, there was a growing sentiment that the bomb research efforts needed better coordination. Robert Oppenheimer, among others, championed the idea of a central facility where both theoretical and experimental work could be conducted following standard scientific protocols, ensuring accuracy and expediting progress.
Oppenheimer proposed the concept of a clandestine bomb design laboratory located in an isolated area, fostering an environment conducive to free exchange of ideas among scientists. Groves embraced Oppenheimer's vision and embarked on a quest to find a suitable location. Eventually, they settled on an unlikely site: an isolated boys' school atop a mesa in the Jemez Mountains.
Groves appointed Oppenheimer to lead the new laboratory, despite initial reservations about his administrative experience, political leanings, and lack of a Nobel Prize compared to some of his prospective subordinates. However, Oppenheimer proved to be an adept director, skillfully balancing the emotional and intellectual needs of his esteemed staff. Despite their divergent temperaments, Groves and Oppenheimer forged a productive alliance marked by mutual respect, which significantly contributed to the success of the Manhattan Project.
Oppenheimer faced the daunting task of recruiting scientists, many of whom were already deeply entrenched in war-related research at university laboratories. Complicating matters were initial plans to operate Los Alamos as a military establishment, a prospect that stirred objections among scientists uncomfortable with military hierarchy. However, Oppenheimer's persuasive abilities, coupled with assurances from high-ranking officials, ultimately swayed many scientists to join the project.
In the first few months of 1943, Oppenheimer tirelessly traversed the country, assembling a formidable team. As recruits from prestigious universities and research institutions across the United States converged on Los Alamos, the laboratory rapidly transformed into a bustling hub of scientific endeavor. Accompanied by their families and a plethora of experimental equipment, scientists journeyed to Los Alamos, infusing the remote outpost with an unparalleled blend of talent and technological prowess.
With the arrival of British scientists in the spring of 1943, Los Alamos became a melting pot of intellectual brilliance, setting the stage for the groundbreaking scientific advancements that would follow.
Following the conclusion of the Trinity test and the end of World War II, J. Robert Oppenheimer retired from his role as director of the Los Alamos Laboratory, and the leadership mantle passed to Norris Bradbury. Bradbury's primary objective was to transition the atomic bomb assembly process from a labor-intensive, handcrafted endeavor to a more streamlined, mass-production model, capable of deployment without the constant involvement of highly specialized scientists.
As the laboratory underwent this transformation, some of its original members departed, finding themselves at odds with the continued development of nuclear weapons. These dissenting voices emerged as outspoken opponents of further nuclear proliferation.
On January 1, 1947, the laboratory officially adopted the name Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory (LASL). Despite this change, it wasn't until 1981 that Los Alamos would be formally designated as a National Laboratory, even though Argonne had already received this recognition a year earlier.
Over the ensuing decades, Los Alamos played a central role in the advancement of nuclear weaponry, including the development of the hydrogen bomb and various iterations of nuclear arms. In 1952, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory was established as a complementary institution to Los Alamos, intended to foster competition and spur innovation in nuclear weapons design.
In addition to its primary focus on nuclear weaponry, Los Alamos engaged in a diverse array of scientific endeavors, encompassing fundamental research, particle accelerator development, health physics, and fusion power research through initiatives like Project Sherwood. The laboratory conducted numerous nuclear tests, both in the Marshall Islands and at the Nevada Test Site.
During the late 1950s, a significant number of scientists, including notable figures like Dr. J. Robert Beyster, departed Los Alamos to join General Atomics in San Diego.
Throughout its history, Los Alamos Laboratory also faced its share of challenges and accidents, including criticality incidents in 1945 and 1946, as well as a mishap during a physical inventory in 1958.
Despite these challenges, several buildings associated with the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos were recognized for their historical significance and designated as National Historic Landmarks in 1965, serving as enduring symbols of the laboratory's pivotal role in shaping the course of modern history.
Credit: Historical photographs courtesy of Los Alamos National Laboratory