Polonium in the Playhouse: The Manhattan Project's Secret Chemistry Work in Dayton, Ohio (Trillium)
$22.75
Description
Book Synopsis: At the height of the race to build an atomic bomb, an indoor tennis court in one of the Midwest's most affluent residential neighborhoods became a secret Manhattan Project laboratory. Polonium in the Playhouse: The Manhattan Project's Secret Chemistry Work in Dayton, Ohio presents the intriguing story of how this most unlikely site in Dayton, Ohio, became one of the most classified portions of the Manhattan Project. Seized by the War Department in 1944 for the bomb project, the Runnymede Playhouse was transformed into a polonium processing facility, providing a critical radioactive ingredient for the bomb initiator—the mechanism that triggered a chain reaction. With the help of a Soviet spy working undercover at the site, it was also key to the Soviet Union's atomic bomb program. The work was directed by industrial chemist Charles Allen Thomas who had been chosen by J. Robert Oppenheimer and General Leslie Groves to coordinate Manhattan Project chemistry and metallurgy. As one of the nation's first science administrators, Thomas was responsible for choreographing the plutonium work at Los Alamos and the Project's key laboratories. The elegant glass-roofed building belonged to his wife's family. Weaving Manhattan Project history with the life and work of the scientist, industrial leader and singing-showman Thomas, Polonium in the Playhouse offers a fascinating look at the vast and complicated program that changed world history and introduces the men and women who raced against time to build the initiator for the bomb.
Details
Delve into the riveting secrets of the Manhattan Project with "Polonium in the Playhouse: The Manhattan Project's Secret Chemistry Work in Dayton, Ohio." Explore the intriguing story of how an ordinary indoor tennis court in Dayton, Ohio, was transformed into a top-secret laboratory crucial to the development of the atomic bomb. Uncover the hidden history of this clandestine site where monumental scientific breakthroughs took place.
Discover the untold contributions of industrial chemist Charles Allen Thomas, a key figure in the Manhattan Project's chemistry and metallurgy operations. Learn how Thomas orchestrated the polonium processing at the Runnymede Playhouse, playing a pivotal role in the creation of the bomb initiator. Immerse yourself in the gripping narrative that sheds light on the pivotal moments in history that shaped the world as we know it.
Unveil the web of espionage and intrigue that surrounded the Manhattan Project, including the involvement of a Soviet spy within the inner workings of the polonium processing facility. Witness the high-stakes race against time as brilliant minds collaborated to develop the initiator for the atomic bomb, forever altering the course of history. Brace yourself for a captivating journey through the hidden corners of wartime science and innovation.
Prepare to be enthralled by "Polonium in the Playhouse," a fascinating blend of historical narrative and scientific exploration that will captivate history enthusiasts and science aficionados alike. Dive into this immersive tale of secrecy, collaboration, and innovation that highlights the remarkable individuals who shaped the Manhattan Project. Experience the thrill of discovery as you unravel the mysteries of this pivotal chapter in human history.
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