Thursday, July 1, 2010

Arco Idaho Lit by Atomic Power for one hour in 1955 Photograph

On July 17, 1955, Arco, Idaho became the first U.S. town to be powered by nuclear energy. The demonstration lasted for one hour in the 1,350-person community. The National Reactor Testing Station, now called the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory, supplied the power from its Borax-III reactor. It was part of the Atomic Energy Commission's (AEC) Five-Year Reactor Development Program in the mid-1950's. The AEC tested five types of experimental reactors. The Borax-III was an early prototype of a boiling water reactor, a type of reactor which still produces electricity for utilities today.  This information is taken from  this web site.
http://www.radiochemistry.org/history/nuclear_timeline/50s.html

I took this photograph when driving through Arco on the way to the Craters of the Moon, a fascinating place, 26 miles from Arco, Idaho

This is a cone mountain, fine pieces of lava piled quite high in Craters of the Moon National Monument.  I climbed part way, rather slick and steep.

3 comments:

Christine H. said...

Wow, there is something other-worldly about both photos. Are you sure that's from our planet?

nancy huggins said...

Great photos Judy..I don't think I would have climbed the mountain..no matter how small..I am just a chicken.
Love your blog and seeing all the post cards and photos
Nancy

Shaunna said...

Craters of the Moon was so neat, we were sad that we couldn't spend more time there and do more of the hikes. Of course, that was the adults, not the kids. :) I really loved Devil's Orchard - did you get to see that?

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