Sunday, February 03, 2008

Bohr Helps Open an Atom Center

New York Times June 26, 1959
Pg. 6

San Diego, Calif., June 25 - Dr. Niels Bohr, whose research helped make atomic bombs possible said today that mankind's "common inheritance" of science and technology presented both opportunities and obligations for promoting international understanding.

"Any increase in our knowledge and abilities at the same time implies a greater responsibility due to our increased power of shaping the conditions of human life.", he said.

In one of his rare public appearances the 73-year-old scientist, director of the of the Institute for Theoretical Physics in Copenhagen, was principal speaker at the dedication of the $10,000,000 Johns Jay Hopkins Laboratory for Pure and Applied Science here.

Industrial Project

The laboaratory is an operation of the General Atomic Division of the General Dynsamics Corporation, whose products range from atomic submarines to Atlas intercontenental missiles.
Mr. Hopkins led the corporation when he died in 1957.

Two of its major projects are power generators for groups of utility companies centered in Philadelphia and Texas. Another is the Orion project, a study for the Defense Department of propulsion of 1,00o-ton "space platform by controlled atomic reactions. Another project is for the production of gas-cooled nuclear turbine engine for ships.

The dedication was attended by about 2,000 persons, including an international aggregation of scientists.

Reactor Power Used

Mr. Hopkins' widow pressed two buttons, unveiling a commemorative plaque using combined nuclear fission and fusion power for two of the laboratory's reactors.

2 Comments:

Blogger M. Simon said...

We may be getting close to fusion - finally. Results will be in in a few months.

WB-7 First Plasma

8:07 AM  
Blogger Norden said...

Good to hear, I'm a big proponent of prompt fusion reactors with tested capacities up to 5.4 yottawatts.

3:26 PM  

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