Since I missed the anniversary
of the first atomic bomb test on July 16, 1945...
of the first atomic bomb test on July 16, 1945...
In the 1950s, Las Vegas
Sold Atomic Bomb Tests as Tourism
Sold Atomic Bomb Tests as Tourism
Las Vegas is notoriously known for its bright lights and exciting nightlife. However, in the 1950s, it became known for a different kind of light. In 1951, the Nevada Testing Site, located just 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas, became the location for atomic bomb testing. The Yucca Flats of Nevada were located in the center of the American wasteland, making it the perfect place for nuclear testing.
By being located in the middle of the desert, it created very little threat to surrounding homes. Additionally, it provided a source of spectacle and entertainment for people who did live in this area. As a result, Las Vegas began to experience a new influx of people from across the country who would travel thousands of miles in order to catch a glimpse of this new show.
While the 1950s was one of the most exciting decades for Las Vegas in terms of helping it to become the tourist destination that it is today, it was also one of the most frightening. Until the tests ended, Las Vegas functioned not only as a place for an escape from the struggles of everyday life, but also from the daily fear that people across the nation were living in. So, while this may be one of the darker times of its history, it was also one of its brightest.
Nowadays, instead of watching explosions go off at the Nevada Testing Site, the main source of atomic tourism stems from the Atomic Testing Museum that opened in 2005. In addition to walking through recreations of old testing sites and bomb shelters, visitors may also take bus tours to the testing site itself.
Ah, yes.... It certainly did help promote the city. Pity the poor indigenous nations downwind, though; the Shoshone and Paiute.
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting these, Rick. Brought back some memories as these tests were also televised and I remember watching the explosion in fear. Later, we saw the hydrogen bomb at the Bikini site. Even more frightening. By the 60's during the Kennedy administration, Russia had nuclear sites in Cuba and threatened to bomb the USA, we literally lived in fear for three days as the threat of destruction hung over all of us. It's also strange to me that no one even thought or wrote about radiation and its effects, but maybe I was too busy quaking.
ReplyDeleteThere's a movie about this called Desert Bloom.
ReplyDeleteStache - I looked that up and it sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteThere was one movie I saw back in the 1960s. A wandered was looking for a drink and some shade, when he happened upon this nice, little, house in the desert, which was on the "range" for the bomb drop/testing. HE was excited (new Mercury under the carport), until he realized that nobody lived there. THEN he realized what it was for. At the same time, the Army guys in the observation bunker saw him as the plane was on its way. I think they got him out just in the nick of time?
ReplyDeleteINTERESTING how the people around the hotel swimming pool are pretty lean . . . compared to now!
How many atomic bombs were exposed outside Las Vegas? It sounds like hundreds of bombs! That would be a massive source of radiation from winds and severely affect people in a 500 mile diameter. Was there a suppression of the effects of the atomic bomb testing on people in relatively nearby towns? I am truly shocked by the casualness and tourism marketing of atomic bomb explosions. I thought the US government only exploded a handful of atomic bombs.
ReplyDeleteAbout the comment from Cdadbr, was that movie the inspiration for the Atomic Bomb Test sequence where Indiana Jones climbs into the refrigerator? LOL
ReplyDeletePeople... are... terrible.
ReplyDeleteThomas - The link below is an interesting article about the harm done to people on that land, and downwind:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.latimes.com/delos/story/2023-07-26/oppenheimer-atomic-bomb-new-mexico-cancer-aftermath