DESTINATION UNKNOWN – SECRET CITY OAK RIDGE TN
Food and Travel Nation with Elizabeth Dougherty
DESTINATION UNKNOWN – SECRET CITY OAK RIDGE TN
The TRUTH about Food and Travel
Original Broadcast Date: 08/22/2020
Elizabeth takes us on a journey to “the secret city” of Oak Ridge, Tennessee—one of the most pivotal and mysterious locations of World War II. In 1942, the U.S. government set up a massive, top-secret facility nestled in the mountains of eastern Tennessee as part of the Manhattan Project. Oak Ridge, initially a quiet rural town, was transformed into a hub of scientific innovation, hidden behind tall fences and guarded secrets.
At the time, the thousands of men and women who worked at the site had no idea what they were producing. They were simply told to focus on their specific tasks—whether it was working on the construction of enormous plants or handling classified materials. But the government knew. In this isolated community, workers unknowingly played a key role in developing the first atomic bombs, which would eventually end World War II.
Today, Oak Ridge is no longer a secret. The site has become part of the American Museum of Science and Energy, where visitors can learn about the groundbreaking work done there, explore the history of the Manhattan Project, and see how Oak Ridge contributed to the dawn of the atomic age. The city has since evolved into a thriving hub for scientific research, with institutions like the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the Y-12 National Security Complex continuing the legacy of scientific discovery and innovation.
Oak Ridge is now one of the biggest tourist attractions in the Knoxville area, drawing visitors from around the world who are fascinated by its history. The city’s story is one of science, secrecy, and, ultimately, a transformative moment in the course of world history. If you love history, science, and uncovering the mysteries of the past, Oak Ridge is an essential destination.
Fun Facts About Oak Ridge:
- Oak Ridge was originally built as a “secret city” and its population swelled to over 75,000 during the Manhattan Project, making it one of the largest cities in Tennessee at the time—yet it was not even listed on maps.
- The Y-12 National Security Complex in Oak Ridge is still operational today, and its original mission was to produce enriched uranium for the first atomic bombs. The complex is also home to some of the most advanced nuclear technology in the world.
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), which opened in 1943, is the largest science and energy laboratory in the United States. It continues to be a leader in fields such as nuclear science, material science, and renewable energy.
- The city was home to one of the earliest and most extensive efforts in nuclear research, with some of the most famous scientists of the 20th century, including J. Robert Oppenheimer, Enrico Fermi, and Ernest O. Lawrence, working on the project.
- A major part of the work at Oak Ridge was the development of the graphite reactor, which was the first nuclear reactor to go critical in 1943 and helped produce the materials needed for the atomic bomb.
If you find the story of Oak Ridge fascinating, there’s much more to explore. Be sure to check out the archives of Destination Unknown
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FOOD AND TRAVEL NATION FAST FACTS
About the show: Food And Travel Nation with Elizabeth Dougherty is the fusion of food and travel. This fresh, compelling nationally-syndicated weekend program includes information for homesteading, traveling, gardening, taste tests, and in a twist, listeners hear what restaurant servers say about customers.
Website: Food And Travel Nation.com
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Executive Producer: Michael Serio
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