First Plutonium Made By Atom Experts In Britain
(10.30 a.m.) LONDON, Mar. 6. The Ministry of Supply announced today that for the first time Britain has produced plutonium—the fissile element used for creating atomic power. The Ministry of Supply statement described the successful production of plutonium as “one of the most important steps forward in the country’s atomic energy programme.” Britain’s plutonium was made at the atomic energy research establishment at Harwell, Berkshire. Plutonium, which does not exist naturally on the earth, can only be produced in quantity in an atomic pile. Being a fissile, it can be made to break up and give out great energy. It was first produced in quantity in the United States in 1942.
A Ministry of Supply official said the amount of plutonium was small but sufficient for investigating chemical and engineering problems which will be met in the large-scale handling of plutonium.
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Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22888, 7 March 1949, Page 5
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149First Plutonium Made By Atom Experts In Britain Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22888, 7 March 1949, Page 5
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