1942: UChicago’s race to the first nuclear reaction
Scholars discuss the scientists at the University of Chicago who, on Dec. 2, 1942, achieved the first self-sustained nuclear chain reaction.
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.
