tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73778108303943622972024-03-14T02:06:52.153-07:00The National Museum of Nuclear Science & HistoryThe National Museum of Nuclear Science & Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424882573689213757noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7377810830394362297.post-18357250543728694282012-10-24T10:53:00.000-07:002012-10-24T10:53:41.494-07:00The Berlin Airlift and the Candy Bombers<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>The Berlin Blockade</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the end of World War II, Germany was divided into four
zones, each occupied by the Allied nations of Britain, France, the Soviet
Union, and the United States. The German capital of Berlin, which lay one
hundred miles inside the Soviet zone, was also similarly divided. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The first confrontation of the Cold War began on June 19,
1948 when the Soviet Union attempted to force the other Allied nations out of
Berlin. Soviet guards halted all traffic on the autobahn, delayed freight
shipments, and passed strict requirements for water transport into Berlin. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On June 24, 1948, the Soviets initiated the Berlin Blockade
in an attempt gain control over the entire city. The blockade was designed to
force the Allies to allow the Soviet zone to supply food and fuel to the entire
city. Soviet guards halted the Allie’s land and sea access, stopped supplying
food to civilians, and cut off all electricity to the sectors of Berlin under
Allied control. Because the Soviet forces greatly outnumbered those of the Allies,
the choices appeared grim: abandon the city to the Soviets, allow the citizens
of Berlin to starve, or start World War III.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Operation Vittles</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In response, the Allies ordered a massive airlift to carry
much needed supplies to the people in West Berlin, the area under Allied
control. On June 26, 1948, Operation Vittles, more commonly known as the Berlin
Airlift, had begun as planes from bases in Germany and England landed in West
Berlin. Although the task of providing food, water, clothing, medicine, and
other necessities for the enormous population of Berlin was daunting, by the
spring of 1949 the airlift was an obvious success. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In that time, the United States Air Force and
the British Royal Air Force flew over 200,000 flights, providing nearly 4700
tons of necessities to the city each day. The blockade was lifted in May 1949
and the Berlin airlift became known as the most successful humanitarian action
of all time. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Operation Little Vittles</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Gail Halvorsen, a U.S. Air Force pilot who flew supplies
into Berlin as a part of Operation Vittles, arrived at Tempelhof airport in the
American sector of Berlin on July 17, 1948. While filming with his hand-held
camera, he noticed a group of children watching through the barbed wire as the
airplanes landed. The children were polite and only asked that the Americans
not abandon the airlift when the weather worsened. Moved by the children’s
demeanor, Halvorsen handed them the two pieces of gum he had in his pocket and
promised to return the next day with more candy. When the children asked how
they would know it was him flying over, he replied that he would wiggle his
wings. Halvorsen improvised parachutes for candy bars using handkerchiefs and released
them as he flew into Tempelhof airport. The crowd of eager children grew as Halvorsen
made several more drops over the weeks and soon there was a stack of mail
addressed to “Uncle Wiggly Wings” and “The Chocolate Flier” back at base. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When his colonel became aware of the candy drops, which
violated Air Force regulation, Halvorsen was expecting to be reprimanded for
his behavior. But publicity surrounding these kind actions was growing as
Berlin newspapers had already picked up the story, and Airlift commander
General William Tunner approved the continuation of what was labeled “Operation
Little Vittles.” Soon twenty-five pilots in Halvorsen’s squadron alone were
participating, and when the news reached the U.S. children and manufacturers
joined in the cause. Public support through donations enabled Halvorsen and his
crew, known as “the Candy Bombers,” to drop over three tons of chocolate,
chewing gum, and other candies over Berlin. By January 1949, approximately
250,000 parachutes had been released. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 363.75pt;">
By the spring of 1949 the Berlin
Airlift was succeeding and the Berlin Blockade was lifted in May. The Metal for
Humane Action was established on July 20, 1949, which was awarded to anyone who
served in or with the Armed Forces of the U.S. during the period of June 26,
1948 through September 30, 1949. The museum proudly displays the Metal for
Humane Action, which reads “For humane action to supply necessities of life to
the people of Berlin, Germany.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 363.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 363.75pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
The National Museum of Nuclear Science & Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424882573689213757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7377810830394362297.post-72217530085358752932010-10-29T12:44:00.000-07:002012-09-14T08:53:25.485-07:00Boy Scouts of America Nuclear Merit BadgeBack in the late 1960s, I was a proud member of Troop 210, Boy Scouts of America. On Wednesday evenings, my friend Stan and I would don our green uniforms and walk over to the old San Jacinto Baptist Church, then on 6th Street in Amarillo, Texas. There in the church’s basement was where our troop would meet. We spent a tremendous amount of time in earning, and arranging to earn, merit badges. <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times,"Times New Roman",serif;">Merit badges have been an integral part of the Scouting program since the start of the movement in the United Kingdom in 1907. Scouting ca</span>me to the United States in 1910. The BSA quickly issued an initial list of just 14 merit badges, but did not produce or award them. In 1911, the BSA manufactured the first official 57 merit badges and began awarding them. The number of badges available has been as high as 140 and, as of late 2010, is 126. <br />
<br />
Merit badges exist to encourage Scouts to explore areas of interest and to teach valuable skills. The award of merit badges sometimes leads to careers and lifelong hobbies. Scouts earn merit badges by satisfying specified criteria. A Court of Honor is then held to present the badge.<br />
<br />
With many parents in Amarillo working at the local Pantex Plant, one of the more popular merit badges was the Atomic Energy Badge. Approved by the BSA in 1963, it was the 104th in their series of merit badges. In 2005, the badge was renamed the <a href="http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/boyscouts/advancementandawards/meritbadges/mb-nuke.aspx">nuclear science energy badge</a>.<br />
<br />
The badge has seven main criteria. Scouts are asked to describe the biological effects and hazards of radiation to humankind, the environment, and wildlife. The scout must be able to describe the radiation hazard symbol and explain where it should be used. He must be able to define appropriate scientific terms, name five individuals important to the field of atomic energy, and use models to explain the difference between atomic number and mass number. <br />
<br />
The fifth criteria allows the scout to choose three projects from a list of ten, including possibly building an electroscope, a cloud chamber, or learning to detect radon. He also learns about current nuclear power plants, nuclear medicine, space exploration, and radiation therapy. The scout is also asked to investigate career opportunities in the nuclear science field.<br />
<br />
For those desiring more information about the <a href="http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/boyscouts/advancementandawards/meritbadges/mb-nuke.aspx">nuclear science energy badge</a>, a detailed pamphlet, Stock Number 33275A, can be obtained from the Boy Scouts of America.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZckKzsXsEFs_c06mHsMZd6IWlXEmp98VILYGjJek0xS-UAEaNanHr_1_kfUO-jWu6-NfsMFI-JgKOsfC9Anz5wb8mpf1ygisSxZWRuR9XvT6dkTzpy13XacpwVhytjkSH5apIVAkCMKc/s1600/boy+scouts.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZckKzsXsEFs_c06mHsMZd6IWlXEmp98VILYGjJek0xS-UAEaNanHr_1_kfUO-jWu6-NfsMFI-JgKOsfC9Anz5wb8mpf1ygisSxZWRuR9XvT6dkTzpy13XacpwVhytjkSH5apIVAkCMKc/s320/boy+scouts.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDFIqIs9QXPYh5G4fapMQKSTUaXnzdxJrLR_6syeYNpiB5VPMETXZeH0X-BNM0GVFSLLuVxohGJuTZWoUTXUPrWidCgEhTsxTwe2yCXaZi9M4T9bPhNAYi55dcTFEywW-BF3WcuEZBFM/s1600/atomic+energy+badge.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDFIqIs9QXPYh5G4fapMQKSTUaXnzdxJrLR_6syeYNpiB5VPMETXZeH0X-BNM0GVFSLLuVxohGJuTZWoUTXUPrWidCgEhTsxTwe2yCXaZi9M4T9bPhNAYi55dcTFEywW-BF3WcuEZBFM/s320/atomic+energy+badge.bmp" width="310" /></a></div>
The National Museum of Nuclear Science & Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424882573689213757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7377810830394362297.post-64855429792926605302010-10-21T15:18:00.000-07:002012-09-14T08:43:43.601-07:00Civil Defense CollectionI still remember it attached to one of the exterior walls of my elementary school, the yellow and black fallout shelter sign. Once inside there were other signs directing people to the basement. Once I was able to go down into the basement to help my teacher move some easels and there they were. Stacked neatly were big green barrels and boxes of supplies, some marked crackers, others marked medical kit.<br />
<br />
When my teacher told me what they were for, I remember asking, "How is everyone going to fit in here?" I never got an answer. I thought that maybe the well behaved students got to the basement and the others would have to make due by hiding under their desks. <br />
<br />
Most of those supplies were certainly placed in my school during the early 1960s, the zenith of the civil defense program during the John F. Kennedy administration. Prior to his Presidency, the Truman and Eisenhower administrations were less enthusiastic about Civil Defense. Survivability was the key issue. Would it be worth all that money for civil defense, when few if any would survive, even within the shelters?<br />
<br />
It was the Kennedy administration which made civil defense a priority. Kennedy urged Americans "without delay" to build backyard shelters. He requested and got $207.6 million dollars in civil defense funds to identify and mark fallout shelters and to stock them with food, water, first-aid kits and other essentials. Civil Defense would now be the responsibility of the Department of Defense, Office of Civil Defense.<br />
<br />
There was much opposition to any civil defense program. It was thought by some that no one in or out of shelters could survive an all out thermo-nuclear war, making shelters a waste of tax payer's money. Others noted that civil defense publications seemed addressed to the suburban upper classes and less for inner city populations or the poor who may not own a home. Still others argued that it would only encourage the start of nuclear war by undermining the Mutual Assured Destruction (MAD) doctrine. <br />
<br />
In light of the opposition in November 1961 a decision was made that the federal shelter program would now only apply to communities or groups, not individual shelters. A decision was also made to restrict all future civil defense activity to completing the OCD shelter survey that had been funded in 1961. Eventually, this survey would identify and place shelter signs on designated buildings <br />
<br />
In order to be designated a public shelter, a facility had to have enough space for at least 50 people, include one cubic foot of storage space per person, and have a radiation protection factor of 100. The materials division of DOD, called the Defense Supply Agency, furnished shelter supplies to local governments, which were then responsible for stocking all shelters in their regions. By 1963, 104 million individual shelters had been identified; and of those 47 million had been licensed, 46 million marked, and 9 million individual spaces had been stocked with supplies.<br />
<br />
The museum's collection of civil defense supplies are as varied as the places and individuals they came from. There are survey instruments, water containers, medical kits, dosimeters, sanitation kits, food supplements, generators, crackers, flashlights, radios, etc. Some of the best examples are currently on permanent exhibit.<br />
<br />
Many of these supplies still sit in shelters undisturbed all these years. You can still see yellow and black signs when driving around town. I am sure all those supplies I saw in the basement of my old elementary school are still sitting there waiting.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwVbxNms4p4wZrKv-Xpc1Da-QU5QHUAX87O9EZYUzP8FcE8zycvk2FyagvSKHDo7BjA4aAcPFtN_YcvOFkWB5rMkDY2jEiiUtdheG5t0JYQrhwwMNKsJb8Z90NaN-h_3XdkorRNnWpEA/s1600/falloutshelter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGwVbxNms4p4wZrKv-Xpc1Da-QU5QHUAX87O9EZYUzP8FcE8zycvk2FyagvSKHDo7BjA4aAcPFtN_YcvOFkWB5rMkDY2jEiiUtdheG5t0JYQrhwwMNKsJb8Z90NaN-h_3XdkorRNnWpEA/s320/falloutshelter.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Handbook for living in a fallout shelter</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7l9kR2NFY9j3eK2smzyKecNiA4oZlhaYKXxsrpWrL8QjL_ftxcMFusTB20Imtyuu9fCa-tvvRlCW80qwcuGff6RK3piVekH5yCIS1i56WURl5EWO_NUWNlWlI6g3AgdEcoppkgD5b74/s1600/Fall+Out+Shelter+Sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7l9kR2NFY9j3eK2smzyKecNiA4oZlhaYKXxsrpWrL8QjL_ftxcMFusTB20Imtyuu9fCa-tvvRlCW80qwcuGff6RK3piVekH5yCIS1i56WURl5EWO_NUWNlWlI6g3AgdEcoppkgD5b74/s320/Fall+Out+Shelter+Sign.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fallout Shelter Sign</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6u0SMfdAG6Rzg2ruvk0QTZYvzXc840cP5MTBetjvXgw_ePMJhyphenhyphen4DP_S6rF58M7rpiJqLWNg-jfKcwSqJb2c2pvmqcqZOK7hGNk7IlFmTFhCsI9lnxxxZV84Qux0Vs9ieZGq7F99wT6CM/s1600/Medical+Supplies+and+Survey+Instrument+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6u0SMfdAG6Rzg2ruvk0QTZYvzXc840cP5MTBetjvXgw_ePMJhyphenhyphen4DP_S6rF58M7rpiJqLWNg-jfKcwSqJb2c2pvmqcqZOK7hGNk7IlFmTFhCsI9lnxxxZV84Qux0Vs9ieZGq7F99wT6CM/s320/Medical+Supplies+and+Survey+Instrument+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Civil Defence artifacts found in the collection.</div>
The National Museum of Nuclear Science & Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424882573689213757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7377810830394362297.post-77761233749781253132010-09-24T15:15:00.000-07:002010-09-24T15:15:27.072-07:00Join the Museum for "A Science A'Fair"The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History has teamed up
with ABQ Trolley Co. to present the Museum’s next Pure Energy event
entitled “A Science A’Fair” from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. on <b>Wednesday, Sept. 29</b>,
2010. Those who wish to attend the event and enjoy an open-air trolley
ride can catch the “Atomic Trolley” at the Albuquerque Convention
Center, Third Street and Tijeras Avenue N.W., in downtown Albuquerque.<br />
<br />
The Pure Energy “Science A’Fair” event has been designed as an
exciting evening of kid fun – adult style. Guests will have the
opportunity to “learn by playing” with hands-on science experiments
that demonstrate the basics of chemistry and physics. There will also
be door prizes, science trivia contests, a “visit” by a 143-year-old
woman scientist, and much more.<br />
<br />
The ticket cost for the ABQ Trolley ride is $10, which includes
admission to the Science A’Fair event. To take the Atomic Trolley,
riders should be at the Albuquerque Convention Center loading zone on
the west side of west complex at 5 p.m.; the Trolley will depart at
5:15. Trolley riders will also have the opportunity to win door prizes
on their ride to the Museum. Tickets for ABQ Trolley may be purchased
on their website: <a href="http://www.abqtrolley.com/index.php/AtomicTrolley">http://www.abqtrolley.com/index.php/AtomicTrolley</a><br />
<br />
The Pure Energy membership program caters to people who are 20 to 40
years old by providing free admission to the Museum, invitations to
special member events, and much more, but the Pure Energy event, “A
Science A’Fair,” is open to all ages. For this night only, Pure Energy
memberships will be sold for $20. Membership benefits include free
admission to the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History as
well as more than 300 science centers around the world.<br />
<br />
Admission for the Science A’Fair night, for those who do not take
the Atomic Trolley, is $8 for the general public and free to Pure
Energy members. Refreshments will be provided and a cash bar will be
available. For more information or to be informed about future events,
call 505-245-2137, extension 113.<span id="eeEncEmail_ocy7QpucA1"><a href="mailto:nscala@nuclearmuseum.org"></a></span>The National Museum of Nuclear Science & Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424882573689213757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7377810830394362297.post-36679610767193010492010-09-16T12:26:00.000-07:002010-09-16T12:26:38.750-07:00Play Reading of "Broken Hammer"The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History will host a reading of <i>Broken Hammer</i>, a play written by Robert Benjamin, physicist turned playwright. In the play Benjamin blends loyalty and romance with stockpile stewardship. The staged reading will begin at 7:00 pm on September 21 and will be followed by a question and answer session with the author.<br />
<br />
Benjamin began his career in play writing after 30 years as a research experimental physicist at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Though his previously produced full-length plays focus on the relationships and secrets, <i>Broken Hammer</i> is different because of its emphasis on science, politics and policy, he said.<br />
<br />
In a story where nuclear history is intertwined with intense family dynamics and romance, Benjamin tells a cautionary tale to our technological society of being deceived by computer simulations that are not extremely well validated by scientific experiments.<br />
<br />
The reading of <i>Broken Hammer</i> will be preceded by complimentary refreshments and access to Museum exhibits beginning at 6:00 pm. Admission is $5 for Museum members and $10 for non-members. Seating is limited, so please RSVP at 245-2137, ext 114.The National Museum of Nuclear Science & Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424882573689213757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7377810830394362297.post-76177773552960075112010-08-26T09:07:00.002-07:002010-08-26T09:07:41.480-07:00Senator Domenici Book SigningSenator Pete V. Domenici will be signing the latest books on his
vast Congressional career at the National Museum of Nuclear Science
& History from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 4. The Senator
will also discuss highlights of his life of service, including his
current participation in the Bipartisan Policy Center. According to the
publisher, one of the books, “Not Just New Mexico’s Senator: Senator
Pete V. Domenici’s Leadership on Four Issues Affecting Our Nation’s
Future,” “takes a more focused path, discussing four complex and
critical issues of national and international importance where Senator
Domenici took a leadership role developing solutions to long-standing
problems.”<br />
<br />
The authors of the books have also been invited to attend and sign books. They are:<br />
Senator Pete Domenici’s Legacy 2008 by Jon Hunner<br />
Senator Pete Domenici’s Legacy 2009 by Vicki Taggert<br />
Not Just New Mexico’s Senator by Martin Janowski<br />
<br />
Domenici serves as an honorary board member of the National Atomic
Museum Foundation and was the recipient of the 2008 National Award of
Nuclear Science, presented annually by the Museum to a prominent person
that has had an impact on nuclear issues. Domenici is recognized for
his efforts as New Mexico’s longest-serving Senator and a proponent of
science and technology. He pushed for passage of the Energy Policy Act
of 2005, intended to accelerate U.S. development of clean and renewable
energy resources.<br />
<br />
“We look forward to hosting what is sure to be an informative
discussion of the Senator’s passion for public service,” said Jim
Walther, Director of the Museum. “The Senator’s ability to provide
fascinating insights into current and important topics is not to be
missed.”<br />
<br />
Domenici is also the author of A Brighter Tomorrow: Fulfilling the
Promise of Nuclear Energy, in which he argues that after weighing the
costs and benefits of energy production, nuclear power must be a major
contributor toward reducing the world’s CO2 emissions and overall
dependence on increasingly scarce and perilously political supplies of
oil and gas.<br />
<br />
There is no additional cost to attend the event beyond the Museum’s
usual admission of $8 for adults and $7 for youth and seniors. For
further information, contact the Museum at (505) 245-2137, extension 114.The National Museum of Nuclear Science & Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424882573689213757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7377810830394362297.post-3128177396401481462010-08-10T10:14:00.002-07:002010-08-10T10:18:36.136-07:00NPR Story About the MuseumCheck out the story on NPR about the Museum on the 65th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki: <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129031051">http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=129031051</a>The National Museum of Nuclear Science & Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424882573689213757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7377810830394362297.post-42937182820253844162010-07-06T12:53:00.000-07:002010-07-06T12:53:30.813-07:00New Temporary Exhibit Opens!<div style="font-family: inherit;">
The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History is hosting a special exhibition that will explore the world-changing scientific discoveries of two remarkable women: Marie Curie and Lise Meitner. The “Inspired Excellence” exhibition will deepen a visitor’s knowledge of the trials and tribulations that faced both and to showcase the spirit and contributions of each. “Inspired Excellence” opened on Saturday, July 3, 2010 and will run through the end of the year. <br /><br />Curie and Meitner endured incredible challenges during the Victorian era when women were not welcome in the field of scientific discovery. Despite a lack of financial support, unsophisticated academic facilities, and little recognition of their endeavors, they persevered and triumphed. <br /><br />Marie Sklodowska Curie and her husband Pierre Curie experimented together and discovered two radioactive elements, polonium and radium. They worked four years to acquire a very small quantity of radium in order to prove there really was such an element. In 1903, Pierre and Marie along with Henri Becquerel received the Nobel Prize in physics for their work and their discovery of radioactivity. In 1911 she received a second Nobel Prize, this time in chemistry, for her work in radioactivity. She was the first person ever to win two Nobel Prizes and the only person ever to win Prizes in two sciences.<br /><br />Lise Meitner worked with Otto Hahn. She and Hahn discovered a radioactive element and named it protactinium. Although she collaborated heavily with him, Hahn, received the credit for the work. In 1938, she escaped Germany with no personal possessions, eventually relocating to Stockholm, Sweden. In 1944 Hahn would receive the Nobel Prize in chemistry for the interpretation of nuclear fission. Meitner was not mentioned, leading many to say this was the greatest oversight ever made by the Nobel Prize committee. In 1997, twenty-nine years after her death, the chemical element 109, the heaviest known element was named Meitnerium in her honor.</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Visit the Museum today to learn more about these amazing women!</span>The National Museum of Nuclear Science & Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424882573689213757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7377810830394362297.post-14104584463259907582010-06-10T09:18:00.002-07:002010-06-10T09:26:24.516-07:004th of July Race Starts and Finishes at Museum<div style="font-family: inherit;">
The 4th of July Fusion 4 Miler will start and finish at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History<b>.</b></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<b>The Schedule:</b><br />
7:00 am: A super flat and fast 4 miler<br />
8:00 am: A kid's 1776 meter (1.1 mile). <br />
Lots of awards and memorabilia will be handed out. All participating kids will receive finisher's ribbons. Later that day, bring your race number to the Nuclear Museum to receive 1/2 priced admission!<b> </b></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<b>How to Register and Cost:</b><br />
Early Registration at ABQ Running Shop, by mail, or at <b>Active.com</b> by 6/20: <br />
General: $20</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
ARR Members/Active Duty Military: $18</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
Kids' 1776 meter run: $10<b> </b></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<b>Late Registration</b> through 7/3:<br />
General: $25<br />
ARR/Military: $23<br />
Kid's 1776: $12<b> </b></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
<b>Race Day Registration</b> 6:00-6:45am at the Museum<br />
4 Miler: $30<br />
Kid's 1776: $15<br />
</div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
A portion of the proceeds from the race will go to the Museum's Science is Everywhere Summer Camp.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: inherit;">
Questions? Call the ABQ Running Shop (505) 293-2RUN<br />
<b>www.abqrunningshop.com</b></div>The National Museum of Nuclear Science & Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424882573689213757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7377810830394362297.post-20908072240089143382010-06-03T10:54:00.000-07:002010-06-03T10:54:54.283-07:00Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage DayOn Saturday, May 22, the Museum <span class="UIStory_Message">celebrated the cultural traditions, ancestry, and native languages represented among the ethnic groups of Asia and the Pacific Islands. Activities included Martial Arts Demonstrations, Thai Dancers, East Asian Performance, Taiko Drummers, Food Samples and Demonstrations,<span class="text_exposed_hide"></span><span class="text_exposed_show"> Origami, Calligraphy and Brush Painting, Japanese Floral Arrangement Demonstrations, Puppet Shows, Interesting Lectures, and More! Check out the Museum's Facebook page to see pictures taken at this beautiful and successful event: <a href="http://tiny.cc/bum4k">http://tiny.cc/bum4k</a>.</span></span>The National Museum of Nuclear Science & Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424882573689213757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7377810830394362297.post-89683876163294664532010-04-29T14:45:00.001-07:002010-05-03T09:56:02.897-07:00Pure Energy Event<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0YbBNY54rcrzIqvt2kjxyAFlokEE4tk7SSDBxstV5lNhc2Q5CyN-RVGWATUn5CICIovC3Um2eSk2yt0HPfM0lgkNwKdIMFfKx2W2bR7ayGpblKcrkMMeWELF_jb45eP6LIsDP4KlyiI/s1600/n122162047797630_6949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz0YbBNY54rcrzIqvt2kjxyAFlokEE4tk7SSDBxstV5lNhc2Q5CyN-RVGWATUn5CICIovC3Um2eSk2yt0HPfM0lgkNwKdIMFfKx2W2bR7ayGpblKcrkMMeWELF_jb45eP6LIsDP4KlyiI/s320/n122162047797630_6949.jpg" /></a></div>Join the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History on May 12 for an exciting evening of Mediterranean cuisine, New Mexico wines, tequila tasting, salsa music DJ, and “The Art of Fashion Show” produced by Buzz Networking Abq.<br />
<br />
5:30 pm to 7:30 pm<br />
<br />
Admission is free to Pure Energy Members and only $15 admission for the general public.<br />
<br />
For more information contact: 505-245-2137, ext. 113, or nscala@nuclearmuseum.org.The National Museum of Nuclear Science & Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424882573689213757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7377810830394362297.post-74879084181165265062010-04-20T09:30:00.000-07:002010-04-20T09:30:54.389-07:00May Lecture at the MuseumThe National Museum of Nuclear Science & History will continue its “Robert L. Long Distinguished Lecture Series” with a talk on the on <b>May 4, 2010</b>, at the Museum. The lecture will be the fourth in a series of lectures on the technical, political and personal aspects of energy generation, distribution, and consumption. The lecture is entitled <b>“How We’re Vulnerable: the Energy, Education, and Cyber Threats to US National Security.”</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBim2l-OUEdDIPNJ46QF2FF_EH3NFvbGX1KI1wYFg9tok-wxopYPsvkzHhcFtM4HX85quoYyJY-JebPZQzw7hgN60znDDIZpFVzdhIBjzJlH-hbKdY0lW3sPiX6fZBY4ImI4TXzPSUR4/s1600/Edward+Bruce+Held.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdBim2l-OUEdDIPNJ46QF2FF_EH3NFvbGX1KI1wYFg9tok-wxopYPsvkzHhcFtM4HX85quoYyJY-JebPZQzw7hgN60znDDIZpFVzdhIBjzJlH-hbKdY0lW3sPiX6fZBY4ImI4TXzPSUR4/s200/Edward+Bruce+Held.jpg" width="160" /></a></div> Edward Bruce Held is the Director of the Office of Intelligence and Counterintelligence at the Department of Energy in Washington, DC. Prior to his selection as Director, he was Chief of Counterintelligence at Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM; reporting directly to the Sandia National Laboratories Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Al Romig. As the Chief of Counterintelligence, Held made significant contributions to the protection and security of one of this nation’s nuclear security laboratories. His expertise in the areas of intelligence and counterintelligence established the highest standards in the protection of the work conducted at this laboratory.<br />
<br />
<br />
“America is preeminent in both conventional and strategic forces and will likely remain so for at least a decade,” says Held. “Potential peer adversaries have learned from the Soviet Union that it is unwise to engage the dynamic US economy in a military arms race. In this context, energy, education, and cyber may well constitute the most important asymmetric strategic threats to US national security.”<br />
Prior to his position at Sandia National Laboratories, Held served as a clandestine operations officer in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) where he received the Intelligence Commendation Medal for “tenacity and extraordinary accomplishments during a period of hostilities.” During his career with the CIA, Held served as the Chief of Station in Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Held also served as Special Assistant to Anthony Lake, National Security Adviser to President Clinton, and as Special Assistant to George Tenet, Director of Central Intelligence.<br />
<br />
The lecture series is named for Robert Long, who passed away in 2009. Friends and colleagues established the lecture series to honor his long career in education and the nuclear industry and his commitment to the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History.<br />
<br />
The lectures cost $10 to attend ($5 with Museum membership) and the doors open at 6:30 p.m. for a 7:15 lecture.The National Museum of Nuclear Science & Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424882573689213757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7377810830394362297.post-43059875162071505342010-03-16T13:19:00.000-07:002010-03-16T13:19:55.097-07:00Pi Day A Major Hit!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMVF4-tRauqAYynQ_sjSAg5ryZ8b7ZDwtyfj8PTSmJ4BxE370W2WAevaBRJMaJcl0Kqc9fvrCmL2TlS-qkxtk48jAcPK5fKLmgLmz3DhYNqISzEMN6UyFp1wSWBLHwR5awUdvZXuEx4U/s1600-h/24560_271095619974_38295139974_853006_574796_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMVF4-tRauqAYynQ_sjSAg5ryZ8b7ZDwtyfj8PTSmJ4BxE370W2WAevaBRJMaJcl0Kqc9fvrCmL2TlS-qkxtk48jAcPK5fKLmgLmz3DhYNqISzEMN6UyFp1wSWBLHwR5awUdvZXuEx4U/s200/24560_271095619974_38295139974_853006_574796_n.jpg" width="133" /></a>Last Sunday on 3-14, we celebrated Pi Day at the Museum. Coincidentally, the day is also Einstein's birthday (he would have been 131). We celebrated with birthday pi, pizza pi, and all kinds of pi related activities for kids and families. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQegKWBBlmBYPQp9_tgPwu0intSO4wP2GqfKvLqc8hS74X4RoKklrH5kdBTRI5iPIWwDV7BhbUAcUjygqpHy4s2UWDiEOur778YUR5MdFDhGZYpr4JM2U78-9yiAlp2dza2UHs_4Kmqs/s1600-h/24560_271094884974_38295139974_852955_7406379_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQegKWBBlmBYPQp9_tgPwu0intSO4wP2GqfKvLqc8hS74X4RoKklrH5kdBTRI5iPIWwDV7BhbUAcUjygqpHy4s2UWDiEOur778YUR5MdFDhGZYpr4JM2U78-9yiAlp2dza2UHs_4Kmqs/s200/24560_271094884974_38295139974_852955_7406379_n.jpg" width="133" /></a>Even older kids got in on the action. UNM student Theresa Miller recited up to 500 digits of pi while hula hooping and solving a rubik's cube.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41fRhvZW-pwF236RCyWHrJi33BkVlQZf_fda7CgWCneN8Dhw0XB2dDOtBxPaJk-Fu-6ZqeaOMtGlaNpP3V9K4uLUcG8nCAgvdOkqlOkCosYfCxj-V8iroGGc27B_7OM3dektEoLdskE8/s1600-h/24560_271094994974_38295139974_852962_555378_s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj41fRhvZW-pwF236RCyWHrJi33BkVlQZf_fda7CgWCneN8Dhw0XB2dDOtBxPaJk-Fu-6ZqeaOMtGlaNpP3V9K4uLUcG8nCAgvdOkqlOkCosYfCxj-V8iroGGc27B_7OM3dektEoLdskE8/s200/24560_271094994974_38295139974_852962_555378_s.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Thanks to everyone who came out and made the day such a success! Hope to see you next Pi Day!The National Museum of Nuclear Science & Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424882573689213757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7377810830394362297.post-32305159307557116902010-03-02T14:41:00.001-07:002010-03-04T15:21:12.013-07:002010 Einstein Society Gala at The Sheraton UptownOn March 20, 2010 the National Award of Nuclear Science and History will be presented to Nobel Prize winner Murray Gell-Mann at this elegant and inspiring event. This award recognizes Dr. Gell-Mann's many contributions to the theory of fundamental particles, including the existence of "quarks," the tiny sub-particles from which just about everything is made. In his distinguished career he worked alongside many other figures who are themselves legends of nuclear science and history, including Einstein, Oppenheimer, Fermi, Feynman and many others. His unique perspective on nuclear science and history, together with the extraordinary breadth of his other interests, promises an exceptional evening.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<a href="http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1969/gell-man_bio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1969/gell-man_bio.jpg" width="223" /></a>The gala dinner and dance will be held at the Sheraton Uptown. For more information or to secure a corporate sponsorship, contact the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History at 245-2137, ext. 110.<br />
Tickets are $125 each and may be purchased at the Museum store.<a href="http://www.nuclearmuseum.org/store/View+By+Category+Events/c4_32/index.html" title="Museum store"></a>The National Museum of Nuclear Science & Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424882573689213757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7377810830394362297.post-29508700694596249472010-02-08T16:27:00.000-07:002010-02-08T16:27:13.576-07:00ZOOM Into Engineering and Science a huge success!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhumH75JGMbuTo1Wd9z-NLBQnaDWpd57AnZCqOi3BTECvwCjT49uU8nCzMZGc-imZoMnzc0mujB11HAiukgzPtCte_jd96jhm9UP5mgv17zy4Tt53J3MLN9JksZ_NjakfK6h9ZEwhTlVqM/s1600-h/IMG_0574.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhumH75JGMbuTo1Wd9z-NLBQnaDWpd57AnZCqOi3BTECvwCjT49uU8nCzMZGc-imZoMnzc0mujB11HAiukgzPtCte_jd96jhm9UP5mgv17zy4Tt53J3MLN9JksZ_NjakfK6h9ZEwhTlVqM/s320/IMG_0574.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNR-7CantwXomv4Nl2nvk3zwsbTQZ1rj2RGO6Mtp5czsJJXqV99JZ-Uz4IP4vXmOnpZ97Wylp9IndEfjQEgsPtOKa25F2o5pUZJenpgv3C5qf0MfiRXphog0SJWs4hvgZhyMEL6rtUHY/s1600-h/IMG_0697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNR-7CantwXomv4Nl2nvk3zwsbTQZ1rj2RGO6Mtp5czsJJXqV99JZ-Uz4IP4vXmOnpZ97Wylp9IndEfjQEgsPtOKa25F2o5pUZJenpgv3C5qf0MfiRXphog0SJWs4hvgZhyMEL6rtUHY/s200/IMG_0697.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;">ZOOM into Engineering and Science 2010 was a huge success! Last Saturday nearly 700 people showed up to the annual event that promotes the development of strong science skills in children. The event included lots of fun, hands-on activities such as making ice cream with liquid nitrogen and creating a fractal to become part of a larger fractal. Other exciting opportunities for kids and their families included a display of a solar car from UNM and one-on-one interaction with engineers from Sandia National Laboratories, PNM, the Society of Women Engineers, ASK Academy, and many others. Thanks to all who came out and made ZOOM such a hit! Hope to see you next year! </span></span>The National Museum of Nuclear Science & Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424882573689213757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7377810830394362297.post-42068434216741070132010-02-02T11:25:00.002-07:002010-02-02T11:30:02.031-07:00ZOOM into Engineering & Science!This Saturday, February 6, the Museum will be hosting its 8th annual <span style="font-style: italic;">ZOOM into Engineering & Science</span>. Children of all ages will enjoy engineering with a day of fun activities designed to help them develop strong science process skills, just like engineers do on a daily basis. Engineers from Sandia National Laboratories and other organizations will lead activities such as making ice cream with liquid nitrogen, building a lighted Space Needle, and mixing potions inspired by Harry Potter. The event takes place from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm and participation is free with admission to the Museum.The National Museum of Nuclear Science & Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424882573689213757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7377810830394362297.post-78230309019921813012009-11-30T11:15:00.003-07:002010-01-27T09:20:47.305-07:00National Nuclear Science Week<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oZReVC2hWWolcW7poTwBN8e32wVLcLIeq_Fv0Ce1gIYlwBHPZIOc3qpkpwp58E7pxtEDhKhwg0OiEv2ZK8LxFoOAPyX297UYlr0wN1WzYVMI5O2Ld8HmbQIKl6trqFIxsgIY0N82YWo/s1600/NNSW_final_logo.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 259px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8oZReVC2hWWolcW7poTwBN8e32wVLcLIeq_Fv0Ce1gIYlwBHPZIOc3qpkpwp58E7pxtEDhKhwg0OiEv2ZK8LxFoOAPyX297UYlr0wN1WzYVMI5O2Ld8HmbQIKl6trqFIxsgIY0N82YWo/s400/NNSW_final_logo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409962135519988466" /></a><br /><br />The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History is excited to be the founding organization for a new event called National Nuclear Science Week. This week-long celebration will take place January 25-29, 2010.<br /><br />National Nuclear Science Week will focus local, regional and national interest on all aspects of nuclear science. Each day will provide for learning about the contributions, innovations and opportunities that can be found by exploring nuclear science. Activities for the week will include focus areas in education, nuclear medicine and radiology, energy generation, safety, and careers.<br /><br />Tools and ideas to encourage activities will be provided online as well as other materials for distribution, education and celebration. Check out the new website at <a href="http://www.nuclearscienceweek.org">www.nuclearscienceweek.org</a>The National Museum of Nuclear Science & Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424882573689213757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7377810830394362297.post-86899250565955677062009-10-26T12:46:00.004-07:002009-10-26T12:56:24.560-07:00Kids Salute to Military HeroesThe National Museum of Nuclear Science & History will celebrate Veteran’s Day on Sunday, November 15, 2009, with stories of service and multiple family activities.<br /><br />The Museum will host the day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The focus of the day is to encourage citizens to recognize the many contributions of military members with an effort called “Kids Salute to Military Heroes.” Whether a service member served on a flight deck in the 1960s or just returned from Afghanistan, the Museum will honor the service made by this important community. An additional highlight of the day will be a car show featuring classic cars and military vehicles.<br /><br />“Our veterans and service personnel have given of themselves many times over,” said Jim Walther, Director of the Museum. “Our day will give the community an opportunity to commemorate that inspirational service as well as give young people a chance to learn about the military from someone who has served. And everyone can enjoy some great vehicles from by-gone eras.”<br /><br />“Kids Salute to Military Heroes” is an effort to encourage young people to write stories about veterans and members of the military. Those profiles will then be shared with visitors at the Museum throughout the day and their young authors will be recognized in an afternoon ceremony. Youngsters who wish to participate should download, print, and complete the Veteran Profile form and bring it to the Museum on November 15, where they will receive free admission for their effort. To download the form visit this link on our website: <a href="http://www.nuclearmuseum.org/teachers-parents/">www.nuclearmuseum.org</a> and look under "Kids Salute to Military Heroes." Veterans and active military personnel will all receive free admission to the Museum that day upon showing their veteran or military identification or documentation of service.<br /><br />The Veteran’s History Project, a Library of Congress project, will also be represented at the Museum. The mission of the project is to “collect, preserve, and make accessible the personal accounts of American war veterans so that future generations may hear directly from veterans and better understand the realities of war.”<br /><br />The day will also prove of interest to car buffs. Classic cars (those before 1973; many models from the 1930s and 1940s) and distinctive military vehicles will be on display on the 12-acre site.<br /><br />The Museum has received support from Kaufman’s West Army and Navy Goods for the Kids Salute to Military Heroes; they will be donating uniforms from several branches of the military so that kids can try on a uniform.<br /><br />While the activities of the day are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.The National Museum of Nuclear Science & Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424882573689213757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7377810830394362297.post-32515006460141604292009-10-13T12:40:00.004-07:002009-10-13T13:07:35.147-07:00Meet the Authors<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFxhqAhvD6rph4gmBaKR6h1Qtni62iO2rWUoWAhDPE-bUCkLnGvElLuS0fyRVuUh11TnMMGuJSsa6Mx2rPrx7O9XIAcjXrvXshB4w58DuTts-0JqOadvkpTFpFA0bfaksh-Qe6Tm3ZDv4/s1600-h/Nuclear_express.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 140px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFxhqAhvD6rph4gmBaKR6h1Qtni62iO2rWUoWAhDPE-bUCkLnGvElLuS0fyRVuUh11TnMMGuJSsa6Mx2rPrx7O9XIAcjXrvXshB4w58DuTts-0JqOadvkpTFpFA0bfaksh-Qe6Tm3ZDv4/s400/Nuclear_express.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392178756523991346" /></a><br /><br />Author Event: <span style="font-style:italic;">The Nuclear Express: A Political History of the Bomb and Its Proliferation</span><br /><br />October 18, 2009<br /><br />Authors Thomas C. Reed and Danny B. Stillman will speak about the proliferation of nuclear weapon technology over the last seventy years: where the technology came from, how it spread, who is likely to seek such weapons next and why. They will also offer an insight into the successes that have precluded the “dozens of nuclear weapon states” feared by John Kennedy when he first came to power a half century ago.<br /><br />Reed is a former Secretary of the Air Force and nuclear weapon designer at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Stillman worked at Los Alamos as a physicist; for fourteen years he served as chief of the Technical Intelligence Division.<br /><br />Richard Rhodes found Nuclear Express to be “loaded with new information and insights; a fascinating read.”<br /><br />The Reed & Stillman talk will be followed by a reception and book signing at 601 Eubank Blvd SE. Admission is $10 for Museum members, $15 for nonmembers.The National Museum of Nuclear Science & Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424882573689213757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7377810830394362297.post-82518041335768743822009-09-28T09:00:00.003-07:002009-09-28T09:07:05.195-07:0040th Anniversary "SNAP"shotThis article is a continuation of "40th Anniversary 'SNAP'shot" from the Museum's Fall Newsletter and gives a look at the interesting device called a SNAP (Systems for Nuclear Auxiliary Power).<br /><br />By Sarah Fair, curator<br /><br />On January 16, 1959, a device that turned heat created from radioactivity into electricity was demonstrated for the first time on President Eisenhower’s desk. It was the size of a grapefruit, weighed 4 pounds and was capable of delivering 11,600 watt-hours for approximately 280 days. This device was called the SNAP-3. Two SNAP models will be on display in the Museum’s 40th Anniversary Exhibit. These models are an important part of the Museum’s collection and show how the Museum broadened its nuclear history and science horizons beyond weapons and into other nuclear technology uses.<br /><br />The United States Atomic Energy Commission began developing a series of compact devices to supply power for space and terrestrial uses. These devices fell under the general title of Systems for Nuclear Auxiliary Power (SNAP). There were two different SNAP systems developed; both convert heat to electricity. In even-numbered SNAPs, heat is obtained from a small nuclear reactor. SNAP-10A, the first SNAP reactor power plant launched into space in 1965, is an example of that system. In odd-numbered SNAPs, the heat is obtained from the decay of certain radioisotopes such as Plutonium-238 (in the SNAP-27) and Polonium-210 (in the SNAP-29).<br /> <br />The early efforts on the SNAP began in 1956 with the objective of powering instruments in space satellites. By 1963, two satellites powered by SNAPs were already in orbit.<br /><br />The SNAP-1 was a small turboelectric generator with high-speed rotating components to convert heat into electricity. It was abandoned for thermoelectric devices, which had no moving parts and a longer lifespan than SNAP-1, with its two-month life expectancy. Work began to develop a new and more efficient thermoelectric and thermionic conversion units for use with a radioisotope heat source.<br /><br />The SNAP-3 generator was assembled and tested in January 1959. It was a success because it generated 2.5 watts of electricity with a half charge of Polonium-210 fuel. This radioisotope system was selected for several reasons. It provided a concentrated heat source, was readily available, and was safe to handle. Because of the SNAP-3’s success, work began on generators to power satellites, moon probes, automatic weather stations, and navigational aids.<br /><br />Satellites need dependable, long-lived electrical supply. They also need to be lightweight because pounds are precious in payloads rocketing into space. They must withstand the rigors of a ride on a rocket. The generator must also be safe, that in the event of an accident there will be no serious consequences from radioactive contamination. The SNAP-3A was used in 1961 in the U.S. space program for the orbiting of a Department of Defense satellite. It used a radioisotope generator with a supplementary electricity source for its radio transmitters and was the first use of atomic power in space<br /><br /> The SNAP-27 was developed for use by NASA in lunar landing missions and was designed to power the Apollo Lunar Surface Experiment Package (ALSEP). Five SNAP-27 units provided electric power to ALSEP and were left on the moon by Apollo 12, 14,15, 16, and 17. The SNAP-27 from Apollo 13 is 20,000 feet under water in the Pacific Ocean. The systems transmitted information about moonquakes and meteor impacts, lunar magnetic and gravitational fields, the moon’s internal temperature, and the moon’s atmosphere for several years after the missions. Even after 10 years a SNAP-27 still produces more than 90% of its 70-watt output.<br /> <br />Visit the Museum on October 17, 2009 to see models of the SNAP-27 and SNAP-29 on display in the Museum’s new 40th Anniversary Exhibit. Check out the Museum’s website, <a href="http://www.nuclearmuseum.org/general-information/latest-news/">www.nuclearmuseum.org</a>, for more info about the new exhibit.The National Museum of Nuclear Science & Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424882573689213757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7377810830394362297.post-68450385036713223022009-09-16T09:32:00.005-07:002009-09-16T09:43:57.552-07:00Congrats to Our Ad Agency!The science and art of branding a museum takes real expertise. The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History is pleased and proud to have found imminent assistance in this through our New Mexico agency, 3 Advertising.<br /><br />Our congratulations go to the gang at 3 for their award-winning work -- they are now the proud owners of several ADDY awards:<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">With over 60,000 entries annually, the ADDY Awards are the worl</span><span style="font-style: italic;">d's largest and arguably toughest advertising competition. The Albuquerque ad agency won one gold and two silver awards.</span><br /><br />The Museum's brand is more than a stunning logo and catching creative -- it's what we do day in and day out to reinforce our role in the community. As the only nuclear museum chartered by the US Congress, and as a Smithsonian affiliate, we have big shoes to fill. And we appreciate the aid our partners contribute.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvgaMtNRfsgQ8I_zBqBKYBrU5D3a-tWra0taeiir2D6rA7EHt-zUNRX2TXgUKt-Ie0u5-p9vMElsK3PFdyR_Wo9UsxTj6bAbviy5h_5PFQ36hDQ4eBBagqSnx_Qwq5Tb1wUNNnU4urZc/s1600-h/ADDYs.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKvgaMtNRfsgQ8I_zBqBKYBrU5D3a-tWra0taeiir2D6rA7EHt-zUNRX2TXgUKt-Ie0u5-p9vMElsK3PFdyR_Wo9UsxTj6bAbviy5h_5PFQ36hDQ4eBBagqSnx_Qwq5Tb1wUNNnU4urZc/s400/ADDYs.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382104667556932786" border="0" /></a>Jeanette Miller, Director of Marketing and PR, holds the ADDYs won by the Museum's advertising agency. Congratulations to 3 Advertising!The National Museum of Nuclear Science & Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424882573689213757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7377810830394362297.post-62118084615314849342009-08-05T08:47:00.000-07:002009-08-05T08:57:24.843-07:00Review of "Terrestrial Energy" by William TuckerMr. Harmon is a friend of the museum and offered to read and review "Terrestrial Energy," by William Tucker, for us. Hope you enjoy!<br /><br />“Terrestrial Energy” by William Tucker:<br /><br />After years of research and failed attempts to get his book published, William Tucker has finally provided the general public with an easily understood overview of the entire energy picture including the familiar sources of energy from fossil and nuclear, as well as the more innovative alternative sources of energy including renewable and solar. He presents two basic premises: 1) As long as we continue burning fossil fuels, there is the possibility we may be modifying the earth’s climate that could bring wrenching and irreversible changes; and 2) the only way we are going to supply ourselves with enough energy while reducing our carbon emissions is through a revival of nuclear power. These premises are seldom, if ever, presented in a common text; however, the small but growing number of public figures willing to embrace these two premises include one of the Cofounders and former Director of Greenpeace (Patrick Moore) and a former Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (Christie Whitman). During his presentation at the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History Einstein Gala last spring, Patrick Moore presented his reasons for converting from an avid opponent to nuclear power to one who embraces it as an appropriate technology for one our future energy sources.<br /> <br />Mr. Tucker, a veteran journalist who has been writing about energy and the environment for over thirty years, is supportive of nuclear energy, but recognizes that the future requires contributions from all sources of energy and candidly discusses the benefits and limitations of them all in his most recent publication. One of these limitations, common to most renewable sources of energy, is the vast amount of land mass required for their support and the fact that most of these sources are only available when they are exposed to the wind or sun. As Patrick Moore expressed during his presentation last spring, irrespective of the amount of energy produced by alternative energies, reliability of their energy supply requires that an alternative source of equal size must be available to replace that energy when the sun doesn’t shine or the wind doesn’t blow.<br /> <br />Mr. Tucker’s text clearly demonstrates that solar and renewable energy sources are limited to potentially satisfying our peak power demands in circumstances where that demand is concurrent with availability of the energy source. Efficient use of these intermittently available energy sources requires significant energy storage capabilities that are not yet available and will require a large life-cycle carbon footprint associated with their development, manufacturing, and maintenance processes. These intermittent energy sources will not be capable of contributing to the base power load of this country in the foreseeable future. That role is essentially limited to the large power generating stations that use a combination of fossil and nuclear energy sources to generate the thermal energy necessary to provide large quantities of steam to their turbine generating systems. While a proponent of nuclear energy, he also recognizes that it is not the only answer. Rather, it is a necessary component of the mixture of energy sources available for this country’s journey into the future.<br /><br />“Terrestrial Energy” discusses each energy source’s benefits and limitations in an organized manner starting with the fossil fuels including coal, oil, and natural gas and then discussing solar and renewable energy sources including hydro, wind, solar, geothermal, waves, biofuels, and hydrogen. His final section is reserved for a thorough discussion of nuclear energy including a reasonable overview of the accidents at both Three Mile Island and Chernobyl, the current renaissance including the public’s resistance to nuclear, and the eventual necessity of closing the fuel cycle with some form of reprocessing rather than indefinite retrievable storage in some repository whether is it is located at Yucca Mountain or another acceptable location. This comprehensive presentation of our current and future energy situation a good companion text to “A Brighter Tomorrow: Fulfilling the Promise of Nuclear Energy” written by our former Senator Pete Domenici and published in early 2007. Terrestrial Energy is a must read for anyone interested in what direction our nation is heading in its search for a sound and comprehensive energy policy.<br /><br />Charles D. Harmon<br />Immediate Past Chair<br />American Nuclear Society Trinity SectionThe National Museum of Nuclear Science & Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424882573689213757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7377810830394362297.post-43940452316622537242009-06-03T09:35:00.000-07:002009-06-03T09:48:50.127-07:00two months and standing tallWe've made it through opening. We've survived our first 60 days. Now we are into our first week of <a href="http://www.nuclearmuseum.org/teachers-parents/about-our-camps/">Science is Everywhere Summer Camp</a> in the new building. With three brand new classrooms to fill and tons of opportunity, we have drastically expanded the camp offerings for this summer. (NOTE: WE STILL HAVE SOME OPEN SPACES!)<br /><br />Aside from the education staff, those of us with offices that share walls with the beautiful new restrooms seem to notice the increase in kids the most. Just moments ago a gaggle of joyous kids in the Robotics class took a restroom break. I know because I heard them happily bouncing through the restroom, then holler their way back to their classroom to continue working on today's robotic challenge. It's hard to be annoyed at these little disturbances when you know how much fun they are having. <br /><br />Through the summer, we are also planning our first rotating exhibit for our new temporary exhibit hall. We have something up our sleeves that we are really looking forward to. Check back for hints and details!<br /><br />We are finally jumping feet first into each section of the internet piece by piece. <a href="http://twitter.com/nuclearmuseum">The Museum can now be found on TWITTER!</a> You are invited to follow us and see what the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History has to "tweet" about!The National Museum of Nuclear Science & Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424882573689213757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7377810830394362297.post-1721703655703106982009-04-07T12:46:00.000-07:002009-04-07T12:54:18.067-07:00Open for BusinessThe weekend's festivities were wildly successful. In four days of events (from Thursday through Sunday) the Museum saw nearly 2,000 visitors, and generated an amazing amount of revenue through store sales, admissions, and memberships. We had nearly 150 new members join over the weekend, and had 140 of our existing members show up for their special sneak preview Friday afternoon.<br /><br />A breakdown of the fun and excitement from each day will come soon (with pictures!), but for now we thought we'd share some nostalgia to remind us where we came from and how far we've come:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xouE6xTNpc0&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xouE6xTNpc0&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Huge thanks to visitor <a href="http://www.thatjerkdan.com/">Dan Bialek</a> for coming to the old space, making this video, posting and sharing it with the world.The National Museum of Nuclear Science & Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424882573689213757noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7377810830394362297.post-6653803556237164412009-04-01T18:59:00.001-07:002009-04-01T19:07:09.265-07:00almost thereWe are less than 24 hours away from our first event in the new museum - <a href="http://www.nuclearmuseum.org/events/detail/black-tie-optional-reception/">and tickets are still available!</a><br /><br />The staff is exhausted, to say the least, but cannot express our excitement over sharing this triumph to the world. We can't wait to open the doors, and welcome guests from all over the world to learn about the science, physics, history, politics, origins, and future of the nuclear world. Our World.<br /><br />We can't wait to share our new treasures, like the 1942 Packard Clipper - "Oppie's Ride":<br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/atomicmuseum/3406046306/" title="inside front by National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3581/3406046306_915c0bfa32.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="inside front" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/atomicmuseum/sets/72157616243425988/"><br />She came home yesterday</a>, much to our delight. She is beautiful and ready for her debut.<br /><br />If you are able to make it out to any of our opening events this weekend, please take a moment to smile and thank any staff member or volunteer that you recognize. We are blessed to have a generous & dedicated group of people involved in this project from the early beginnings to the very end, and those people have given more to this museum than anyone could quantify. But know that the best way to thank us is not only to visit us, but to visit often! And bring friends!The National Museum of Nuclear Science & Historyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00424882573689213757noreply@blogger.com0