Atomic Scientists' Movement

On August 7, 1945, the day after the bombing of Hiroshima, Met Lab scientists met under the leadership of Eugene Rabinowitch to draft a statement arguing for civilian administration of atomic research, international controls, and programs to educate the public about atomic weapons and nuclear energy. By mid-September, the group had constituted itself as the Atomic Scientists of Chicago.

John A. Simpson, chair of the ASC executive committee, joined William Higinbotham of the Los Alamos scientists’ group in coordinating political efforts to promote effective legislation in Washington. Public education initiatives included The Atomic Bomb and other publications as well as advertising campaigns. An ASC speakers’ bureau was organized to dispatch scientists to address schools, churches and synagogues, clubs, and business associations.

Perhaps the most concrete demonstration of the commitment of the Chicago scientists to educate the public was the founding of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. The first issue of the Bulletin, which appeared on December 10, 1945, presented arguments for the importance of international measures to control nuclear development. The Bulletin was intended not only for the Met Lab and other Manhattan Project sites, but also for influential nonscientific groups and individuals who could directly affect public policy.

All these efforts achieved a notable success with the passage of the Atomic Energy Act of 1946. Introduced in the Senate as S. 1717 by Sen. Brien McMahon in December 1945, the legislation cleared both houses of Congress by July. Following conference adjustments to its provisions, the bill was signed into law by President Truman on August 1, 1946. The act created the Atomic Energy Commission, a civilian agency charged to take over management of nuclear energy from the Manhattan Project and manage the future development of nuclear power.

A black and white photo of Eugene Rabinowitch standing on the sidewalk holding a briefcase. He's looking off to the right, wearing a light colored suit jacket and tie.
Eugene Rabinowitch, photograph, undated

University of Chicago Photographic Archive
The first page of Rabinowitch's handwritten meeting notes, dated August 7, 1945. He listed the first topic they discussed as, "Declaration," followed by the subheadings, "Why Scientists Worked on it," "Focus of the Station," and "Ways out."
Eurgene Rabinowitch, Metallurgical Laboratory staff meeting, manuscript notes, August 7, 1945

Eugene Rabinowitch Papers, The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago
On this page of Rabinowitch's notes, he wrote "Outline for Part 2 of Declaration," followed by the list of fallacies identified during the meeting.
Eurgene Rabinowitch, Metallurgical Laboratory staff meeting, manuscript notes, August 7, 1945

Eugene Rabinowitch Papers, The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago
The bright yellow cover of a booklet called the "ABCs of Radiation," which was written in the style of a children's book
"The ABCs of Radiation"

Atomic Scientists of Chicago, The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago
An illustration of a bright mushroom cloud beginning to form on the black cover of this booklet, which covers the basics of the science behind the atomic bomb.
"Our Atomic World"

Atomic Scientists of Chicago, The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago
A black and white illustration of a mushroom cloud beginning to form is in the center of a plain booklet called, "The Atomic Bomb."
"The Atomic Bomb" (Chicago, 1946)

Federation of American Scientists Records, The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago
A black and white photo of Leo Szilard looking through a magnifying glass in a white lab coat.
Leo Szilard, photograph, undated

University of Chicago Photographic Archive
A typed document that has various handwritten notes and edits in the margins.
Leo Szilard, "An Attempt to Define the Platform for Our Conversations with Members of the Senate and House of Representatives," document, September 7, 1945

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Records, The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago
A Western Union telegram. On this first page, there are several handwritten edits in pencil.
John A. Simpson to Atomic Scientists of chicago, telegram, December 5, 1945

Atomic Scientists of Chicago Records, The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago
The second page of a Western Union telegram, which includes multiple handwritten edits.
John A. Simpson to Atomic Scientists of chicago, telegram, December 5, 1945
A black and white portrait of Harold Urey.
Harold Urey, photograph, undated

University of Chicago Photographic Archive
The front page of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientsts of Chicago
"Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists," vol. 1, no. 1, issue, December 10, 1945

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Records, The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago
The front cover of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. The cover is bright red with an image reminiscent of a clock counting down to midnight.
Item 3.8 -- "Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, vol. 3, no. 6, cover, June 1947

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Records, The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago
A typed petition addressed to the Congress of the United States with several signatures and addresses of the signers
Federation of American Scientsts, "Petition for Civilian control of Atomic Energy," February 20, 1946

Federation of American Scientists Records, The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago
A version of the petition addressed to Congress printed in the Washington Post, with the headline, "Pass the Atomic Energy Bill,"
"To the House of Representatives: Pass the Atomic Energy Bill (S. 1717)," Washington Post, June 20, 1949

Federation of American Scientists Records, The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago