LANL historian Alan B. Carr, left, and LANL Director Thom Mason at the JROMC and Los Alamos Historical Society  presentation Monday evening at the Smith Auditorium. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

Some 500 people gather at the Smith Auditorium Monday evening to hear a talk by LANL historian Alan B. Carr titled ‘Manhattan: The View from Los Alamos of History’s Most Secret Project’, sponsored by the J. Robert Oppenheimer Memorial Committee (JROMC) and Los Alamos Historical Society. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

By REBECCA SHANKLAND
JROMC Board Member

In a whirlwind tour through the Manhattan Project, LANL historian Alan B. Carr gave a talk on Monday evening that was informative, riveting, and often hilarious.

Some 500 people gathered at the Smith Auditorium to enjoy the return of lectures sponsored by the J. Robert Oppenheimer Memorial Committee (JROMC)—this time also co-sponsored by the Los Alamos Historical Society.

After an introduction by Lab director Thom Mason, who reminded us that understanding history is part of the Lab’s scientific mission, Carr launched into his talk titled “Manhattan: The View from Los Alamos of History’s Most Secret Project.” 

Carr took us in chronological order from the beginning of World War II, showing the often-overlooked initial incursions by the Soviet Union, through the early role of the Japanese in conflict with the US in Asia, and then of course to the complicated race for the atomic bomb.

Discussing Pearl Harbor, Carr found fascinating parallels with contemporary history, observing that the Japanese admiral had expected a swift roll-over victory instead of a resolute response.

Lest Los Alamos become too self-centered, Carr pointed to a map showing the numerous US sites that worked on the bomb—he estimates that over a half million people worked on its development at one time or another, doing the supporting work of uranium enrichment and plutonium production as well as massive amounts of construction.

Carr explained the development of the bombs named Thin Man, Little Boy, and Fat man, showing how each worked (and didn’t work) and how Oppenheimer moved the scientists from one stage to the next.

He showed the famous and unforgettable video of Oppenheimer’s later grave reflection on what the scientists had done.

Carr noted that most of the scientists probably wondered: how do we go from this to the future? How do we prevent World War III? In his farewell speech in Los Alamos, Oppenheimer said, “The people of this world must unite or they will perish.”

James W. Kunetka is the next speaker in the Oppenheimer Committee’s celebration of its 50 years of honoring Oppenheimer and his impact on the town he created. Kunetka’s talk is titled “Los Alamos: Robert Oppenheimer’s Greatest Legacy.” Co-sponsored by the Los Alamos Historical Society, his talk is 7 p.m., April 18 at the Duane Smith Auditorium.

The Oppenheimer Committee also has created a multi-faceted exhibit titled “A Legacy of Learning,” now showing at the Step Up Gallery at Mesa Public Library. Until April 24, you can enjoy some never-before-seen photographs and artifacts highlighting the JROMC’s 50 years of accomplishments: its memorial lectures, scholarship recipients, Oppenheimer’s triumphs and tragedies, and even his wife Kitty’s life.

You can see Oppenheimer’s office chair, work on a jigsaw puzzle of the Groves and Oppenheimer statues, and pose next to a life-size cardboard statue of Oppenheimer. Try to answer our “Do You Know” questions and read the Time and Life magazines that chronicled the sensational moments of his life. Find out how the JROMC is now joining 25 US senators to rightfully restore Oppenheimer’s security clearance.

For more information about the J. Robert Oppenheimer Committee, see jromc.org.

LANL Director Thom Mason introduces guest speaker and LANL historian Alan B. Carr Monday evening at the Smith Auditorium. Mason explained that understanding history is part of the Lab’s scientific mission. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

LANL Director Thom Mason and JROMC Board Member Anna Llobet Megias at the JROMC and Los Alamos Historical Society event Monday evening at the Smith Auditorium. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

LANL historian Alan B. Carr speaking at the JROMC and Los Alamos Historical Society event Monday evening at the Smith Auditorium. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com

LANL Director Thom Mason speaking at the JROMC and Los Alamos Historical Society event Monday evening at the Smith Auditorium. Photo by John McHale/ladailypost.com