The Journals of Ayn Rand (63 page)

When did he start in Chicago? Summer, 1942.

When in New Mexico? March, 1943.

Who selected the scientists for New Mexico? How were they invited? What was their attitude? Incidents?

How was the work done? To what extent [was it] controlled? To what extent [was it] free? If controlled—by whom? How many free, unexpected discoveries were there? How many men were responsible for crucial, basic points?

Were there crucial turning points, i.e., milestones of the progress?

What points or events stand out in your mind?

Was there a specific event when they started manufacturing the actual bombs used?

(Our picture is to be a
tribute to the scientist
—as a representative of free inquiry and the independent mind.)

Contributions of industries?

Incidents of German work on the atomic [bomb]? What happened to Otto Hahn? [
Otto Hahn was a German chemist and physicist who received the Nobel prize in 1944 for splitting the uranium atom (1939). He collaborated with the Nazis in their effort to develop the atomic bomb.
]

What does he consider the
best
in people as demonstrated in connection with this project?

What does he consider the
worst?

Any trouble or interference which he cares to mention?

Incidents typical of the men as scientists?

What does he consider his most important contribution to atomic physics—before the project?

How was he picked to be head of Los Alamos—was he chosen or did he volunteer? When and how did he first hear about the project?

No theoretical problem. “Approved for destruction.” Some parts ready two years before.

Scientists—[almost] no one turned him down. (One refused. Two quit the project.)

Project had a bad name at the beginning.

[Obstacles to hiring scientists:]

Town run by Army—commanding officer in charge.

[Oppenheimer was] called by Dr. Arthur Compton in spring of 1942.

Group came to Berkeley in summer of 1942.

Staff of laboratory at maximum of 3,500—scientific staff about 900. In the last three years—scientific work at Los Alamos, production at the other two labs [located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, and Hanford, Washington].

Early part—working out scientific schemes for the other two plants. Group at first meeting being told about work in single teams.

All 900 knew the scientific principles—and others after six months residence were told what they were making.

Bohr was not closely associated—brought some slight information—not essential to work.

Fermi contributed enormously.

Scientific high points (prior to project):

Dr. Bush important, “had President’s ear.” [
Dr
.
Vannevar Bush was director of the government’s Office of Scientific Research and Development.
]

Refugee scientists responsible.

Summer of 1942—decision to manufacture bomb was made. Theoretical work was done.

Conant and Bush presented evidence to Roosevelt. [
Dr
.
James B.

Conant was chairman of the National Defense Research Council during World War II
.]

Describe typical day.

How was work done? On assignment—or free investigation of assigned problems?

When did he move to live in Los Alamos?

Bodyguard?

Theoretical scientist:
Give one incident about himself prior to project. Incidents typical of the men as scientists?

Control of Army?

Hiroshima.

Seminars—free discussions (“give and take”).

Tormented by something he can’t solve.

General Groves was the only boss over Oppenheimer.

Scientists given choice of problems.
Reasons
instead of
authority.

Free
to solve problems.

Scientists like music. Long walks, skiing, horses.

No one ever gave an order at Los Alamos.
[
AR recalled this part of the interview years later: “I asked him whether the scientists worked under orders. He looked at me in the way that my best characters would have, and said in a morally indignant tone: ‘No one ever gave an order at Los Alamos. ’
”]

They did things they didn’t want to do—only because they understood the necessity. A great scientist ran the machine shop. People who ran calculating machines and other dull jobs.

After a hundred experiments—“we’re getting something.”

Groves—top in his profession (Army engineering)—took chance on disgrace if project failed.

He was told of his appointment first in hall of Congress building—came out of Military committee where he testified—met General Somervell—asked his opinion on taking assignment with General overseas—Somervell told him the Secretary of War had another assignment for him “which might win the war.” Groves [complained about being] given a research job; [at first] he thought it was fantastic and doomed to failure.

Groves didn’t know project would succeed. “I thought we had a 60% chance—and had to take it before anyone else did.”

Groves had to make crucial decisions—often against the advice of his scientific advisors. (In the case of starting Oak Ridge from [Dr. E. 0.] Lawrence’s “speck of light.”) Groves had no organization set up—there was no time—he ran things himself—appointed the right men and almost never changed them.

Groves was “salesman” to get big industries to take the contracts.

They could have refused—but not one of them did. The story of DuPont—the board of directors—the meeting and the papers face down—Chairman speaks—not one paper is turned over (among those who didn’t turn the paper over was Lamont DuPont, who owns 60 million [dollars worth] of DuPont stock). [The papers contained classified information on the Manhattan Project, which the Department of Defense was willing to divulge if necessary.]

Groves says he would like to see stressed “teamwork and American management”—no other country could have done it.

Groves went to Milwaukee to see a contractor; he solved two technical problems for [the contractor] while in a hotel room conference.

One method of doing a certain scientific process had to be abandoned after spending a huge sum.

Conflict of scientists who were in Army. But [they were] free in the laboratory. Never worked under compulsion.

What is the critical mass?

One works with cross-section (cyclotron involved).

Neutron renector—looked for damper—tried to “freeze design.”

At request of Fermi, made calculations to see if the world would blow up.

Dr. Hans Bethe gave talk at colloquium before test; they were terrified when they realized how little they knew.

Dr. Kaynes accepted job knowing nothing about it. Arrived in early 1944. Used first names. Dr. Bethe told him they were making a new element. Told everything. Asked: “What do you want to do?”

Worked with a “screwball”—Richard Feynman.

(Scientists dressed sloppy. Only big shots dressed—Bethe and Oppenheimer, but not Fermi.)

Bohr and son came often. Fermi eventually came and stayed there about a year before test. Chadwick was stationed there (for British) almost from beginning. Lawrence visited. Dr. Bethe. Dr. [George B.]

Kistiakowsky—White Russian.

(Ideal of most professors—university without undergraduates.)

Feynman was Kaynes’ group leader (about age 27). He traveled to Albuquerque to see wife, who was dying of T.B. Beat tom-toms right in laboratory—the more noise, the harder he was thinking. Wife died. No one paid attention to work hours.

One hundred tons of TNT used to test instruments—a few months before atomic test.

Dr. [William George] Penny got word his wife in London was hurt in bombing. Later learned his wife died—intense hatred.

Los Alamos originally planned for 75 scientists, grew gradually.

Polish scientist who could not find his wife in Warsaw.

Columbia—started work with Fermi—men came out all black from carbon. Fermi—scientific. Compton—administration.

(Communists not allowed on project.)

Art Wahl (chemist) discovered plutonium—E. O. Lawrence’s laboratory at Berkeley.