This file describes the contents of 5 numbered 5212-5216.

The history of development of atomic weapons in the United States is being gradually declassified by the government.

The films in this collection were taken from the US Department of Energy's Office of Scientific and Technical Information Web pages, specifically http://www.osti.gov/historicalfilms/filmlist.html

These are short MPEG films showing some of the testing of atomic weapons. A brief description of each follows.

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Mar 2003 Film: The Trinity Shot (first US Atomic Test) [5212]

12 seconds

The first US atomic weapons live test at the Trinity Site in southeastern New Mexico. This was part of the secret Manhattan Project. The test took place on July 16, 1945.

"This silent film shows the preliminary processes of raising the Gadget to the top of the tower and final preparation for detonation, and then the blast and after effects."

(From http://www.nv.doe.gov/news&pubs/photos&films/0800001/Default.htm)

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Mar 2003 Film: The Bikini Island ABLE Atomic Test [5213] Mar 2003 Film: The Bikini Island BAKER Atomic Test [5214]

26 seconds, 8 seconds

In the Bikini Island atoll in the south Pacific ocean, a series of nuclear tests were made. ABLE was an air-dropped nuclear bomb, while BAKER was detonated undersea.

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Mar 2003 Film: Several Different Atomic Detonations [5215]

60 seconds

This is a short extract from a film showing several different detonations.

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Mar 2003 Film: Set of 4 Atomic Bomb Test Films [5216]

All of the above, collected in one .zip file.

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See also, these other

Jun 1996 Project Trinity, Official U.S. Government Report [548] Jun 1995 Trinity Atomic Bomb Test Site Photographs [279] Jun 1995 Trinity Atomic Bomb by White Sands Missle Range [278] Jun 1995 Trinity Atomic Bomb by the National Atomic Museum [277]

End of the Detonations, by United States Government