Atomic Power

Series

Series Name

The March of Time 11th Year

Issue

Issue No.

12

Date Released

Sep 1946

Length of issue (in feet)

1714

Stories in this Issue:

1. 1Atomic Power

Story

Story No. within this Issue

1 / 1

Summary

The March of Time synopsis: One year ago, to all people throughout the world came the overwhelming report that with one bomb a whole city of Japan had been destroyed. In its latest issue, the March of Time tells the story of the development of atomic energy, the race to produce the atom bomb, and the present controversy on international control.

By animated diagram the film explains, in simple form, how the nucleus of the atom is surrounded by revolving electrons, how the cosmis energy is locked in the nucleus itself and how the nucleus can be split in two, thereby releasing atomic energy. It is the sum total of millions of such releases of energy that make up this new source of power. For over half a century great scientists have tried to find out the secrets of the atom. In 1905 Albert Einstein defined the relation between all matter and energy. Gradually, through years of intensive research, more knowledge was acquired on the subject: Lord Rutherford split the nitrogen atom in 1919; and in 1939 Lise Meitner computed the results obtainable from splitting uranium. That same year word came from Germany that two physicists, Hahn and Strassman, had succeeded in splitting the uraniu, atom by neutron bombardment. Within a few hours, Dr. Tuve of the Carnegie Institute and scientists working at other American universities had checked this experiment. Conscious of the disaster which would inevitably follow if Nazi Germany should be the first to succeed in releasing atomic energy, Dr. Einstein wrote a personal letter to President Roosevelt, with the result that a special advisory committee on uranium was established. This committee was able to report that an atomic bomb was a definite possibility. By the next year America’s uranium research programme was placed entirely under the supervision of Dr. Vannevar Bush.

Soon after American entered the war, it was decided that British and American scientists should carry on a vast programme of research together in the United States. Contracts were let to a dozen research laboratories for studying every possible method which might lead to success. Later the laboratory experiments were expanded into huge industrial projects. The March of Time shows Dr. Enrico Fermi and his assistants at work in a secret laboratory at the University of Chicago, where, after dangerous experiments, they achieved the first controlled "chain reaction" in uranium fission. The way was now cleared for the practical application of atomic power to the nation’s war effort, and three giant plants were built, in such widely scattered parts as Tennessee, New Mexico and Washington State, for the production of fissionable materials and atomic bombs. Thousands of young scientists were called in to staff these plants. Industrial firms of every type were mobilised. However, those who worked on this mos closely guarded secret had knowledge only of the specific jobs to which they were assigned. Many were not even sure that they were producing anything, and few had any idea of the tremendous costs involved.

After three years, in July, 1945, experts were ready to test their first atomic bomb. The film re-enacts this famous scene which took place in New Mexico, when the immense power of the new weapon was proved.
However, the releasing of atomic power has brought with it a great responsibility for scientists, statesmen and also for the general public. In America scientists are striving to keep the public informed on all aspects of atomic activity, and to impress upon them the full meaning of the atomic age. They want everyone to realise the magnitude of an atomic bomb explosion, and the fact that such a bomb can be carried anywhere by a single ‘plane or ship. Dr. Bush, together with Dr. James B. Conant, of Harvard, accepted appointments to a State Department committee from which came the basic report for the U.S. plan for international control, proposed to the United Nations by Bernard Baruch. Although Russia replied that she would not relinquish the right of veto even in the control of atomic power, the Baruch plan has received overwhelming support among other nations. For it is generally realised amongst most peoples that, in the words of Baruch, "We must elect world peace or world destruction."

Researcher Comments

Produced in collaboration with Len Lye, according to the BFI Database. This story was included in Vol.12 No.13 of the US edition.

Keywords

Science and technology; War and conflict; Nuclear energy

Written sources

Monthly Film Bulletin   Vo.13 No.153 September 1946, p132.
Fielding, Raymond. The March of Time 1935-1951 (New York, 1978)   p291.
The March of Time Promotional Material   Lobby Card, Used for synopsis

Credits:

Director

Jack Glenn

Production Co.

Time Inc.