Ep 5. Secret Cities of the A-Bomb

Lost Worlds season 1 episode 5, titled "Secret Cities of the A-Bomb," explores the history and construction of the American cities built in secrecy during World War II to house the scientists working on the development of the atomic bomb. These cities, including Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Hanford, Washington, and Los Alamos, New Mexico, were designed to be self-contained, isolated from the rest of the world, and kept under the strictest security protocols.

The episode begins by examining the motivations behind the construction of these secret cities. With the onset of World War II, the United States government recognized the potential power of nuclear weapons and launched the top-secret Manhattan Project to develop them. This required the creation of secure locations where scientists could conduct research and testing without the risk of espionage or sabotage. The government chose remote locations for these cities to minimize the risk of exposure to enemy forces.

The episode then delves into the construction process of these cities. Each city was built as a self-contained community, with housing for the scientists and their families, shopping centers, hospitals, and schools. The goal was to provide a comfortable and safe environment for the scientists and their families to live and work in, while also keeping them isolated from the rest of the world. The cities required massive amounts of resources, including building materials, water, and electricity, which were all transported into the remote locations with great difficulty.

The episode explores the challenges faced by the thousands of workers who were employed to build these cities. Many of these workers were farmers and laborers who were recruited from all over the country and had no prior experience in construction. The work was grueling, and many workers suffered from unsafe working conditions, extreme temperatures, and exposure to dangerous chemicals and radiation.

Next, the episode looks at the science that was being conducted in these secret cities. The scientists who worked in these cities were focused on developing the atomic bomb, and their work was highly classified. The episode explains the physics behind nuclear reactions and how scientists used this knowledge to develop the atomic bomb. It also explores the ethical concerns surrounding the development of the bomb and the decision to use it on civilians in Japan.

Finally, the episode looks at the legacy of these secret cities. Today, the cities are still highly restricted and off-limits to the public. The area surrounding them is heavily contaminated with radiation, and the cleanup efforts continue to this day. The cities themselves have been repurposed for other uses, including national laboratories and research facilities.

Overall, "Secret Cities of the A-Bomb" provides a fascinating look at an often-overlooked chapter in American history. The episode explores the incredible engineering feats required to build these cities, the human cost of constructing them, and the groundbreaking science that was conducted within their walls. It also delves into the ethical dilemmas surrounding the development and use of the atomic bomb, making for a thought-provoking and enlightening viewing experience.