The purpose of this activity is to understand scientific decision-making in a complex scientific, social and political context. Each person will assume the role of a historical figure and together we will confront an important decision addressed in 1939: Should we proceed with research that might lead to development of an atomic bomb?

Background: In 1939, Alexander Sachs, an acquaintance of physicists Albert Einstein and Leo Szilard, carried a letter from these two scientists to then President of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt, advising him of the theoretical potential to build a weapon based on the release of atomic energy. No one actually knew, however, whether such a functional device could ever be built. A controlled sustained nuclear reaction (fission) was still only a dim theoretical possibility. The U.S. was not then at war with Germany, but the possibility loomed. President Roosevelt asked Lyman Briggs, Director of the U.S. Bureau of Standards (then our national laboratory of physics), to convene a committee to advise him on this matter. You will make this decision.

Note: We are not trying to replicate or re-enact the actual decision that was made historically. Rather, we are using the history as a scenario for reconsidering the decision on our own. Afterwards, we will compare our decision with the actual history and try to interpret any similarities and differences.

Our characters include the individuals who were present at this meeting:

• Lyman Briggs, Director, U.S. Bureau of Standards (Chair)
• Edward Teller, physicist (designated representative for Enrico Fermi & Merle Tuve)
• Leo Szilard, physicist
• Eugene Wagner, physicist
• Richard B. Roberts, physicist
• Alexander Sachs, economist
• Keith F. Adamson, Lt. Col., U.S. Army
• Gilbert C. Hoover, Comm., U.S. Navy
  

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• Enrico Fermi (optional--invited, but did not attend)
• Merle Tuve (optional--invited, but did not attend)

Challenge: We will try to "recreate the moment." Therefore, you should be as knowledgeable as the person whose position you are assuming. You should also know something of their personality, as well, to fairly represent their concerns. You may only use knowledge that was available at the time--that is, you may not benefit from hindsight or "knowing" what will happen.

Questions: Can nuclear power actually be harnessed? Is building a bomb a realistic enough possibility to consider it seriously at this point? Should research proceed on the assumption that one will be built, if feasible? Should the international political scene be relevant? What research on nuclear physics is now most important? How much will it cost, and who will fund it? Will the research be kept confidential (secret)?

Preparation: Prepare a complete position statement before our meeting (50% of your grade).

General Reference: Richard Rhodes, The Making of the Atomic Bomb

Below are guiding questions to help motivate and focus research for assuming the knowledge and perspective of each person.

Lyman Briggs

• What was the role of the National Bureau of Standards from 1901 to 1939?
• How was research at the National Bureau of Standards funded at this time?
• In your view, what should be the relative roles of science and politics in this Committee's decision?

Edward Teller

• What is your research?
• How is it funded?
• As a Hungarian, why are you in the U.S.?
• In your view, is a sustainable nuclear reaction possible?
• How is the capture cross section of graphite important?
• How expensive is pure graphite?; How much might be needed?
• What is your view on the secrecy of nuclear research?
• What is your view on the role of a prospective nuclear weapon on world peace?

Leo Szilard

• What is your research?
• How is it funded?
• As a Hungarian, why are you in the U.S.?
• In your view, is a sustainable nuclear reaction possible?
• How is the capture cross section of graphite important?
• What is the role of uranium isotopes U235 and U238?
• What would be the prospective power of a nuclear explosion from a uranium bomb?
• How large would such a bomb be?
• What is your view on the secrecy of nuclear research?

Eugene Wigner

• What is your research?
• How is it funded?
• As a Hungarian, why are you in the U.S.?
• In your view, is a sustainable nuclear reaction possible?
• What is your view on the role of a prospective nuclear weapon on world peace?

Richard B. Roberts

• What is your research?
• What is the effect of slow versus fast neutrons?
• How is it funded?
• In your view, is a sustainable nuclear reaction possible?
• You've recently published a review of the literature in this field: what did you find?

Alexander Sachs

• As an economist, what is your interest in atomic energy?
• What is the status of Nazi Germany?
• What is your understanding from having discussed this matter with President Roosevelt?
• What is your understanding from having discussed this matter with Albert Einstein and Leo Szilard?
• What is $1 worth these days (1939, in terms of 1997 $$)?

Keith Adamson

• What weapons are currently available? How powerful are they?
• How are weapons normally developed?
• How long does it take to develop a new weapon?
• How much does it generally cost?
• What is the status of Nazi Germany?

Gilbert C. Hoover

• What weapons are currently available? How powerful are they?
• How are weapons normally developed?
• How long does it take to develop a new weapon?
• How much does it generally cost?
• What is the status of Nazi Germany?

Enrico Fermi (invited, but historically did not attend)

• What is your research?
• How is it funded?
• As an Italian, why are you in the U.S.?
• In your view, is a sustainable nuclear reaction possible?
• How much matter would likely be necessary for a prospective sustained nuclear explosion? (How big would a uranium bomb be?)
• What is the role of uranium isotopes U235 and U238?
• What is your view on the secrecy of nuclear research?

Merle Tuve (invited, but historically did not attend)

• What is your research?
• How is it funded?
• In your view, is a sustainable nuclear reaction possible?

posted: 10/15/00