A Is for Atom
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| A Is for Atom | |
|---|---|
| File:A Is for Atom 1953.webm | |
| Directed by | Carl Urbano |
| Produced by | Sutherland Productions |
| Written by | True Boardman |
| Music by | Eugene Poddany |
| Distributed by | Sutherland Productions |
|
Release dates
|
1953 |
|
Running time
|
14:45 minutes |
| Language | English |
A Is for Atom is a 14-minute 1953 promotional animated short documentary film created by John Sutherland and sponsored by General Electric (GE). It is now in the public domain. The short explains what an atom is, how nuclear energy is released from certain kinds of atoms, the peacetime uses of nuclear power, and the by-products of nuclear fission. It is Sutherland's most-decorated film, having won numerous honors at film festivals.[1]
Contents
Plot
A narrator begins the piece by relating what an atom is and how atomic energy can be harnessed by man to produce "limitless" energy. Dr. Atom (a caricature with an atom for a head) then explains the similarities between the solar system and atomic structure. He then goes on to relate how the atom is made up of protons, neutrons, and electrons. After this, the narrator explains how there are more than 90 elements with many possible isotopes for each.
The history of atomic energy is then overviewed beginning with the discovery of artificial transmutation. This then led to the discovery of nuclear fission and eventually nuclear weapons and nuclear energy using the chain reaction of radioactive material. The Oakridge uranium factory is then discussed as well as the first nuclear reactor and the first uses of plutonium. The future of fantastical nuclear power plants is then explained. The short ends on the uses of radio isotopes in medicine and agriculture.
The film includes a blue "nuclear giant" character, very similar to Dr. Manhattan from the graphic novel Watchmen.
See also
References
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External links
- Lua error in Module:WikidataCheck at line 28: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). A Is for Atom at IMDb
- A Is for Atom at Archive.org
- A is for Atom Part 1 on YouTube
- A is for Atom Part 2 on YouTube
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