With oppenheimermovie hitting theaters this weekend, many are remembering J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in developing the atomic bomb. What some might not realize is that early nuclear pioneering that made his work possible took place right here in Iowa. On Dec. 2, 1942, scientists joined together under the west stands of Stagg Field at the University of Chicago, bearing witness to the first ever self-sustained nuclear chain reaction. Among the scientists were Dr. Frank H. Spedding, the director of what would become the Institute for Atomic Research and Ames Laboratory at iowastateu (then Iowa State College), and Dr. Harley A. Wilhelm, associate director. "I believe all of us present realized that we were tapping a new form of energy which would greatly influence the course of human events," Spedding previously told the Ames Tribune. Tap the link in our bio for more on this story. #Ames #Iowa #Oppenheimer #atomicbomb