<strong>Trinity Test base camp:</strong> This is a historical photo of Trinity Test base camp, which housed soldiers and scientists working on the project.
Trinity Test base camp: This is a historical photo of Trinity Test base camp, which housed soldiers and scientists working on the project.
National Nuclear Security Administration
<strong>Oppenheimer: </strong>Under the guidance of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the laboratories at Los Alamos, New Mexico, were constructed. He oversaw some of the top experts in physics to work on creating an atomic bomb. Their research resulted in the world's first nuclear explosion on July 16, 1945.
Oppenheimer: Under the guidance of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the laboratories at Los Alamos, New Mexico, were constructed. He oversaw some of the top experts in physics to work on creating an atomic bomb. Their research resulted in the world's first nuclear explosion on July 16, 1945.
Los Alamos National Laboratory
<strong>Gadget: </strong>Sgt. Herbert Lehr is shown delivering a portion of the plutonium core for the bomb -- nicknamed the Gadget -- in its shock-mounted carrying case to the assembly room in the McDonald Ranch house.
Gadget: Sgt. Herbert Lehr is shown delivering a portion of the plutonium core for the bomb -- nicknamed the Gadget -- in its shock-mounted carrying case to the assembly room in the McDonald Ranch house.
Los Alamos National Laboratory
<strong>Preparation:</strong> The world's first atomic device is shown being readied at the base of the tower at Trinity Site in 1945.
Preparation: The world's first atomic device is shown being readied at the base of the tower at Trinity Site in 1945.
Los Alamos National Laboratory
<strong>Bradbury:</strong> Norris Bradbury, head of bomb design at Los Alamos, stands next to the Gadget in 1945.
Bradbury: Norris Bradbury, head of bomb design at Los Alamos, stands next to the Gadget in 1945.
US Department of Energy/Los Alam
<strong>Jumbo:</strong> A photo of "Jumbo," the 216-ton steel cylinder scientists contemplated detonating the bomb within to contain its plutonium core if the full detonation failed.<br />
Jumbo: A photo of "Jumbo," the 216-ton steel cylinder scientists contemplated detonating the bomb within to contain its plutonium core if the full detonation failed.
Manhattan Project National Historical Park
<strong>Assembly: </strong>Oppenheimer, second from left, oversees final assembly of the Gadget.
Assembly: Oppenheimer, second from left, oversees final assembly of the Gadget.
Los Alamos National Laboratory
<strong>Explosion:</strong> One of humanity's most memorable moments captured in black and white -- the explosion from the Trinity test.
Explosion: One of humanity's most memorable moments captured in black and white -- the explosion from the Trinity test.
Los Alamos National Laboratory
<strong>Mushroom cloud: </strong>A color photograph of the Trinity mushroom cloud.
Mushroom cloud: A color photograph of the Trinity mushroom cloud.
National Security Research Center
<strong>The crater: </strong>This an aerial view of Trinity nuclear test crater, which is now filled in.
The crater: This an aerial view of Trinity nuclear test crater, which is now filled in.
National Security Research Center
<strong>Manhattan Project: </strong>J. Robert Oppenheimer (third from left) and Gen. Leslie Groves, director of the top secret Manhattan Project, were among the people to visit the Trinity detonation site on September 11, 1945. Groves personally selected Oppenheimer as leader of the Los Alamos laboratory.
Manhattan Project: J. Robert Oppenheimer (third from left) and Gen. Leslie Groves, director of the top secret Manhattan Project, were among the people to visit the Trinity detonation site on September 11, 1945. Groves personally selected Oppenheimer as leader of the Los Alamos laboratory.
National Security Research Center