B Reactor

The B Reactor, located in Hanford, Washington, is a significant historical site that played a pivotal role in the development of nuclear energy and the Manhattan Project during World War II. It was the world's first full-scale plutonium production reactor and part of the top-secret effort to build the atomic bomb.

Constructed in just 11 months in 1943, the B Reactor was a groundbreaking feat of engineering and scientific innovation. Its primary purpose was to produce plutonium-239, a crucial component in the creation of nuclear weapons. The successful operation of the B Reactor marked a major milestone in the race to develop atomic weapons during the war.

Today, the B Reactor is part of the Hanford Site, which is managed by the U.S. Department of Energy. It has been designated a National Historic Landmark and is open to the public for guided tours, offering visitors a rare opportunity to step inside this historic facility and learn about its role in shaping the course of history. Tours typically include access to the reactor building, control room, and other key areas, as well as informative exhibits detailing the scientific, technological, and historical significance of the B Reactor and the Manhattan Project. Due to its historical and cultural importance, the B Reactor attracts visitors from around the world and serves as a sobering reminder of the complex ethical and moral questions surrounding nuclear weapons and their use.