Nuclear Theory Monument Essay

Public history is a concept that has existed in some way for thousands of years. One example of this is the creation and use of monuments and memorials to remind society of significant events. These structures provide a unique way of experiencing history and understanding the sentiment of society at the time of creation. One example of this is the Nuclear Theory monument. The Nuclear Theory monument was constructed to commemorate the creation of the world first self-sustaining controlled Nuclear Reactor. The reactor constructed in 1942 and named CP-1 or Chicago Pile #1 was located inside the squash courts of the University of Chicago. Enrico Fermi, an Italian physicist, and the Manhattan Project team constructed the CP-1 Reactor in secret, which after 30 attempts was able to sustain a controlled reaction for 33 minutes. After the completion of this final test, the team knew that is event was a significant scientific discovery and marked the location at which it had occurred. Constructed 25 years after the event occurred, a monument now stands on the location of the reactor. Commissioned by the B.F. Ferguson monument fund and named
Nuclear Energy, the monument was dedicated on December 2nd ,1967 at the exact time in which Fermi initiated the original test 3:36 pm. The monument and the site itself are included, as a National historic landmark as of February 18, 1965 and it became a Chicago landmark as of October 27, 1971. The monument is also included on the National Register of Historic Places as of October 15, 1966. In addition, a working model of the monument is on display at the Hiroshima City Museum of Contemporary Art. Henry Moore an English sculptor best known for his semi abstract monumental bronze sculptures designed the Nuclear Energy monument. Approached by Professor McNeil and his colleagues from the University of Chicago, they asked Moore to create a monument to Fermi’s scientific feat. Moore sculpted the monument out of solid bronze in a semi abstract style similar to his other works. The Final monument according to the Smithsonian institute stands 14 feet tall and has an 8-foot diameter. In addition, the monument sits atop a concrete base, which includes three plaques. The right plaque describes the achievement of Fermi; the left plaque states the name of the monument, the sculptor and the dedication date, and lastly the center two plaques provided the historical designations of the piece and the fund that provided the sculptor. In many cases when created a monument to commemorate some scientific or technological achievement it, normally portrays the enduring spirit of those who worked for said discovery, this monument however is different. When Fermi and the Manhattan project team originally complete their test they performed in secret but those involved understood there significance, however at this point the destructive nature had not yet been unleashed upon the world. 25 years later the United States was in the middle of the nuclear driven Cold War and had seen the devastation that the atomic bombs had wrought upon the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War 2. This is the main reason for the appearance of the Nuclear Energy, described as looking like a skull or a mushroom cloud, which show the public sentiment surrounding nuclear weapons at this point. Although many monument address the topic of nuclear technology the Nuclear Theory, provide an alternative viewpoint in many aspects.
Many of these monuments like the ones located at the Nagasaki and Hiroshima peace parks solely addresses the destructive nature of the research completed by the Manhattan project and the pain and fear that this technology can create. The Nuclear Energy monument on the other hand, allows the audience to reflect on the both the constructive and destructive products of these discoveries. This sentiment reflected by Moore, “It meant that by being successful Man was able to control this huge force for peaceful purposes as well as destructive ones.” This shows that the design of the sculpture is such that it should cause the viewers to reflect on both the beneficial and destructive nature of nuclear
science. This monument stands not only as a symbol of Fermi success but also as a symbol of society’s desire and ability to preserve the past. This idea follows closely with Carl Becker idea of everyone being able to be a historian. This point highlighted by the fact that the call for the monument came not from the historical community but of the society native to the University of Chicago. In addition, the nature and location of the monument allows for its direct interaction with the public, one is not required to have an understanding of the hard science behind the event or a deep understanding of the period to be able to understand the message that the monument presents and the importance of Fermi tests.