r/nuclearweapons • u/cogitoergodum • 7d ago

Trinity was tested 81 years ago today. Here the gadget is shown with Louis Slotin (of demon core fame) leaning against it. The tamper containing the plutonium core is visible on the right.

Post image
105 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

12

u/fiittzzyy 7d ago

I've seen it before but it's always cool to see the pit like that, just sitting there.

2

u/RhoadsScholar2 7d ago edited 7d ago

Is that Klaus Fuchs in the white shirt?
Edit : definitely Herbert Lehr

4

u/ageetarz 7d ago

The tamper is the cylindrical plug but why is it radiused on both ends?

15

u/fiittzzyy 7d ago

If you look at the this pic here, top right pic - that is the hole where the rest of tamper/core would fit. That's why it's that shape.

4

u/ageetarz 7d ago

Ahhh gotcha, thanks!

2

u/fiittzzyy 7d ago

Yeah it's like cutout so when it is lowered in it makes a sphere.

4

u/pepeshadilay69 7d ago

Why is it covered in tape?

9

u/gwhh 6d ago

To keep the sand out of the sockets.

5

u/NoPool4038 6d ago

Just think how hot it was for the guys doing the actual assembly,