Nuclear reactor graphite block

The world's first nuclear reactor during assembly in a racquets court under the West Stands of Stagg Field at the University of Chicago, November, 1942.Photograph shows the 7th layer of graphite blocks and edges of the 6th layer which contained 3 1/ 4 in. pseudospheres of black uranium oxide (U3O8). Alternate layers of graphite, containing uranium-metal fuel and/or uraniumoxide fuel, were separated by layers of solid graphite blocks. The completed structure was S 7 layers high.On December 2, 1942, the pile (reactor) reached criticality and the chain reaction became self sustaining, thereby initiating the controlled release of nuclear energy. The experiment was conducted by a team of scientists led by the late Enrico Fermi., Credit Line: Argonne National Laboratory, courtesy of AIP Emilio Segrè Visual Archives
Abstract/Description: The world's first nuclear reactor during assembly in a racquets court under the West Stands of Stagg Field at the University of Chicago, November, 1942.Photograph shows the 7th layer of graphite blocks and edges of the 6th layer which contained 3 1/ 4 in. pseudospheres of black uranium oxide (U3O8). Alternate layers of graphite, containing uranium-metal fuel and/or uraniumoxide fuel, were separated by layers of solid graphite blocks. The completed structure was S 7 layers high.On December 2, 1942, the pile (reactor) reached criticality and the chain reaction became self sustaining, thereby initiating the controlled release of nuclear energy. The experiment was conducted by a team of scientists led by the late Enrico Fermi.
Subject(s): Nuclear reactors
Chicago (Ill.)
Credit Line: Argonne National Laboratory, courtesy of AIP Emilio Segrè Visual Archives
Catalog ID: University of Chicago H8