Defining Moments from Nuclear History
Immerse yourself in the incredible moments that changed the world
Discover the pivotal moments that shaped the nuclear age through a curated collection of powerful photographs. This gallery offers a visual journey through the milestones of nuclear history, capturing events that redefined science, geopolitics, and humanity’s understanding of power. From groundbreaking discoveries and first detonations to moments of tension and resilience, these images provide a window into the triumphs and trials of a transformative era. Each photograph invites reflection on the profound impact of nuclear technology, offering a deeper appreciation of its role in shaping our world. Explore this compelling narrative through the lens of history’s most defining nuclear moments.
First medical X-ray – Wilhelm Röntgen – Public domain
Becquerel plate – Henri Becquerel – Public domain
Pierre and Marie Curie – Unknown author – Copyright expired
Hahn and Meitner in 1912 – Unknown author – Public domain
Stagg Field reactor – Melvin A. Miller of the Argonne National Laboratory – Public domain
German Experimental Pile – Mickey Thurgood, U. S. Army photographer assigned to Alsos Mission – Public domain
Trinity – Jumbo brought to site – Federal government of the United States – Public domain
Trinity device readied – Not identified – Public domain
Trinity shot color – Jack W. Aeby – Public domain
Atomic bombing of Japan – George R. Caron & Charles Levy – Public domain
EBR-1 – US Department of Energy – Public domain
First four nuclear lit bulbs – Unknown author – Public domain
Ivy Mike – USDE – Public domain
Atoms for Peace – United Nations – Courtesy of IAEA Imagebank
Nautiluscore – U.S. Navy photo/Released – Public domain
Calder Hall – ENERGY.GOV – Public domain
Windscale – ENERGY.GOV – Public domain
Shippingport Reactor – Unknown author – Public domain
International Atomic Energy Agency – IAEA Imagebank – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic
Kink instability at Aldermaston – UK Atomic Energy Authority – Public domain
NS Savannah – US Government – NARA – Public Domain
USS Enterprise – USN – Public domain
SNAP-3B – Mound Photography – Public domain
SNAP-10A – Atomics International, contractor to U.S. Atomic Energy Commission – Public domain
Tōkai Nuclear Power Plant – ENERGY.GOV – Public domain
Treaty for Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons – United States Department of State – Public domain
SNAP-27 – U.S. Federal Government – Public domain
Zion Nuclear Power Station – ENERGY.GOV – Public domain
Hinkley Point B Power Station – Rick Crowley – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic
Three Mile Island – United States Department of Energy – Public domain
Superphénix – Yann Forget – CC-BY-SA
Chernobyl Disaster – IAEA Imagebank – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic
Chernobyl Sarcophagus – IAEA Imagebank – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic
Joint European Torus – EUROfusion – Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Kashiwazaki-Kariwa – IAEA Imagebank – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic
Fukushima Daiichi – 資源エネルギー庁 – Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
Wylfa – UK government agencies – Open Government Licence v3.0
Chernobyl New Safe Confinement – Tim Porter – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
Novovoronezh Nuclear Power Plant II – Hullernuc – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
HTR-PM – China Huaneng
Kernkraftwerk Isar – E.ON Kernkraft GmbH – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
Onkalo Spent Nuclear Fuel Repository – kallerna – Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International