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Uranium fission
The German radiochemists Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann discover the process of fission in uranium.
http://energy.gov/management/office-management/operational-management/history/doe-history-timeline/timeline-events -
Discovery of Plutonium
Glenn T. Seaborg’s research group at the University of California in Berkeley discovers plutonium.
http://energy.gov/management/office-management/operational-management/history/doe-history-timeline/timeline-events -
Plutonium Reactors
Groves selects Hanford, Washington, as site for full-scale plutonium production and separation facilities. Three reactors--B, D, and F--are built.
Groves selects Hanford, Washington, as site for full-scale plutonium production and separation facilities. Three reactors--B, D, and F--are built. -
U.S.S. Nautilus
The Navy launches the first nuclear-powered submarine, U.S.S. Nautilus.
http://energy.gov/management/office-management/operational-management/history/doe-history-timeline/timeline-events-0 -
Linear Accelerator Center
The Atomic Energy Commission awards a contract to Stanford University for construction of the Stanford Linear Accelerator Center.
http://energy.gov/management/office-management/operational-management/history/doe-history-timeline/timeline-events-0 -
SNAP-10A
The U.S. launches the first nuclear reactor in space (SNAP-10A). SNAP stands for Systems for Nuclear Auxiliary Power.
http://energy.gov/management/office-management/operational-management/history/doe-history-timeline/timeline-events-0 -
First Major Blackout
The first major power blackout covers the northeast United States.
http://energy.gov/management/office-management/operational-management/history/doe-history-timeline/timeline-events-0 -
FEA
President Ford appoints Frank Zarb as Administrator, Federal Energy Administration.
http://energy.gov/management/office-management/operational-management/history/doe-history-timeline/timeline-events-1 -
Secretary of Energy
James R. Schlesinger is sworn in as first Secretary of Energy.
http://energy.gov/management/office-management/operational-management/history/doe-history-timeline/timeline-events-1 -
Nuclear Waste Legislation
President Reagan signs the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, the Nation's first comprehensive nuclear waste legislation.
http://energy.gov/management/office-management/operational-management/history/doe-history-timeline/timeline-events-2
