Beschreibung:

Stafford L. Warren (1896-1981) was a physician and radiologist who served as Chief of the Medical Division of the Manhattan Project during World War II. In that capacity, he was present at the Trinity Test in New Mexico, collecting data on radiation dispersal; he led a survey team to assess the aftereffects of the bombings at Hiroshima and Nagasaki; and was chief of the Radiological Safety Section at the Operations Crossroads testing at the Bikini Atoll. This lot includes papers related to his time on the Trinity Project, including a diary of the events before, during and after; notes and charts synthesizing the data; and drafts of the reports he ultimately submitted, as follows: 1. WARREN, STAFFORD L. 1896-1981. Autograph Manuscript in pencil and pen, diary of events leading up to and including the detonation of the A-bomb and its immediate aftermath, 25 pp 4to and 8vo, [White Plains, NM], July 11-16, 1945, a few pages featuring charts, graphs, and diagrams. Famous for his work developing the mammogram while on the faculty at University of Rochester, Warren was recruited by General Leslie Groves to join the Manhattan Project team and commissioned as a Colonel in November of 1943. Initially his job was to staff hospitals at Oak Ridge, TN, Richland, WA and Los Alamos, NM, supervise medical research, and develop protocols for the dangerous materials handled at each of these sites. Later he was responsible for the safety aspects of the Trinity nuclear tests, developing a system of strategically placed Geiger counters to monitor the fallout radiation after the blast. This first manuscript is a diary of Warren's experiences during the period leading up to, during, and after the test. The diary opens on July 11 with Colonel Warren's arrival in NM: "exceedingly barren country, tremendous areas of abandoned country and very few roads." 7/12/45 "Long discussions on weather with Holzman & Hubbard & Ryan. Concept has been changed. May shoot 7/16 instead of 7/15 ... 7/14/45 "Arrangements made to evac. Any personas after 15 r/hr / Capt Allen will record courses & height & speed & Warren will receive same data for relay to Hoffman & Friedell." The actual test day reads: "7/16/45 0330—May shoot at 0400 0345—postponed until 0515 / plane says weather bad... 0400—decided 0530 zero hour. 0500—contacted "Joe 52" Hoffman at gate 2 guard & Maj Palmer & all members. Troops camped behind Campania Hills. Visitors collected on SE slope of hills... 0510 Lerner & Rossmore in position for sirens. Capt Allen to give "time" from radio for -5 & minus 2 & those left in shock to lay on ground outside at minus 2.... 0525 Here we go 0528 0530 Could hear radio loudspeaker count off minus 1 ... Everybody in slot trench face down a few sat up near wind mill ... A brilliant yellow brown light occurred a few seconds after zero over radio then a sensation of heat over body ... then a peculiar ringing in ears & a squeeze in mastoids and middle ear before sound of blast heard. Turned over & looked through glass at zero intense to see ball on ground still very bright. Removed glasses & saw it rising slowly Abt 0530 ½ -531 false dawn Ball or mushroom rose slowly & majestically & ponderously but brilliantly—bright red purple with blue rain for a few seconds. It towered up with streamers falling vertically in the stem & out of the cap. Did not hesitate at expected 20,000 ft ... kept on going prob. 30000 ft. 34000... Abt 0525 looked again from barracks over semi darkness cloudy sky—pillar through clouds with mass at top very high small white cloud on right to. Seems to be growing to right & upward like a brilliant white cumulous cloud. Rest of top rather flat & extending laterally in all directions. Whole column seems to tower over camp & whole site...." Present also are manuscript notes submitted by his junior officers, including Hoffman, Louis Fields, and J.O. Palmer. 1. Autograph Manuscript, draft of a memo to Maj. Gen. Groves, "The use of the gadget as a Tactical Weapon—