This article presents an overview of the contributions made by women to the creation of the first atomic bombs. The authors describe several of the approximately 85 women whose efforts helped to create the bomb and their work. Among the efforts in which women participated described in the article are many aspects of the Manhattan Project, such as the creation of the nuclear reactor at the University of Chicago that produced the first chain reaction, U-235 isotope separation, the production of plutonium, and various assignments at Los Alamos, such as testing explosives, monitoring the Trinity Test, and developing the bomb design. The article also discusses what happened to many of those scientists after the war, including the difficulties they had maintaining their careers. |