Uncle Phil and the Atomic Bomb

he history of the Manhattan project and its successful creation of the atomic bomb during World War II has been well documented. It is not well known, however, that a separate and crucial part of this project was carried out by the U.S. Navy at its Naval Research Laboratory in Washington DC. This project, led by the young physicist, Philip Abelson devised a novel liquid thermal diffusion process for separating the fissionable 235U from 238U. Eventually this process was employed at Oak Ridge and significantly contributed to the construction of the uranium bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima.
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"This account of the life of Philip Abelson by his nephew, John, is thoroughly charming. It is full of the kind of details that make it read like a fine novel. I would recommend it to anyone."
--- David L. Goodstein, Frank J. Gilloon Distinguished Teaching and Service Professor, California Institute of Technology, and the author of Out of Gas: The End of the Age of Oil

"A fascinating and unique personal account of how a determined young scientist made a brilliant contribution to the success of the Manhattan Project. . . ."
--- Maxine Singer, President Emerita, Carnegie Institution, and the author (with Paul Berg) of George Beadle: An Uncommon Farmer










he history of the Manhattan project and its successful creation of the atomic bomb during World War II has been well documented. It is not well known, however, that a separate and crucial part of this project was carried out by the U.S. Navy at its Naval Research Laboratory in Washington DC. This project, led by the young physicist, Philip Abelson devised a novel liquid thermal diffusion process for separating the fissionable 235U from 238U. Eventually this process was employed at Oak Ridge and significantly contributed to the construction of the uranium bomb that was dropped on Hiroshima. Read More			"This account of the life of Philip Abelson by his nephew, John, is thoroughly charming. It is full of the kind of details that make it read like a fine novel. I would recommend it to anyone." --- David L. Goodstein, Frank J. Gilloon Distinguished Teaching and Service Professor, California Institute of Technology, and the author of Out of Gas: The End of the Age of Oil "A fascinating and unique personal account of how a determined young scientist made a brilliant contribution to the success of the Manhattan Project. . . ." --- Maxine Singer, President Emerita, Carnegie Institution, and the author (with Paul Berg) of George Beadle: An Uncommon Farmer

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