Birthplace of Atomic Age

The Atomic Age began at 3:25 p.m. on Dec. 2, 1942—on a squash racquets court under the west stands of Stagg Field at the University of Chicago, as an extraordinary team of scientists led by Enrico Fermi oversaw the first man-made, self-controlled nuclear chain reaction. UChicago commemorated the 75th anniversary of the historic experiment in December 2017.

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Chain reaction pile

Race to the first nuclear chain reaction

Doomsday Clock remains at two minutes to midnight Thumbnail

Doomsday Clock remains at two minutes to midnight

Ted Petry, last surviving witness to first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction, dies at 94 Ted Petry, last surviving witness to first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction, dies at 94

Ted Petry, last surviving witness to first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction, dies at 94


Ted Petry dies; last known witness to historic 1942 U. of C. nuclear reaction Ted Petry dies; last known witness to historic 1942 U. of C. nuclear reaction

Ted Petry dies; last known witness to historic 1942 U. of C. nuclear reaction


Ted Petry, last known witness to pioneering nuclear reaction at UChicago, 1924-2018 Ted Petry

Ted Petry, last known witness to pioneering nuclear reaction at UChicago, 1924-2018

Doomsday Clock moves its closest to midnight since height of Cold War Person pointing at a fake doomsday clock

Doomsday Clock moves its closest to midnight since height of Cold War

Nuclear Reactions: A Complex Legacy

Nuclear Reactions: A Complex Legacy

Pyrotechnic artwork commemorates 75th anniversary of first nuclear reaction

Pyrotechnic artwork commemorates 75th anniversary of first nuclear reaction

Former U.S. Energy Secretary Moniz caps first day of nuclear reaction commemoration

Former U.S. Energy Secretary Moniz caps first day of nuclear reaction commemoration

Chain reaction that started the Atomic Age Remembrance

Chain reaction that started the Atomic Age


UChicago