Atomic Heritage Foundation

In partnership with the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

1944 Dec 17

1944 Dec 17

The D pile goes critical at Hanford, WA with sufficient reactivity to overcome fission product poisoning effects. Large scale plutonium production begins.

Related Images: 
Radiation monitoring at the reactor.
Date Range: 
1944CE Dec 17th
Era: 
1944: Developing the Bomb