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Mentor
In another thread about first images we ever shot I mentioned I grew up in Oak Ridge Tennessee in the 50's Oak ridge was and is still known as the atomic city where the first plutonium and uranium were refined to produce the first atomic bombe. The city didn't exist until the early 40's when it was built for the war effort. During the war no cameras, binoculars, firearms and many other items were restricted. A
there was only one person in the city with a camera. the person was Ed Wescott who worked for the US Atomic Energy Commission and documented the construction and operation of the city and refining process. Everything in the city was owned by the government until 1957 if I remember correctly.
I worked for the AEC / DOE for a while and did the same type of work as ED. Ed is retired now and in poor health. I had a chance to work with him on a project years ago and found him to be a superb fellow. some of his images are now available to the public and I thought some of you might like a glimpse into the super secret city of Oak Ridge during WWII.
LIfe was much like any other town but as you can see from the photos there were many temporary makeshift houses. Some had canvas sides and metal roofs. Others were made of a material made from pressed corn cobs called cemesto. Each family was assigned to a house or apartment according to their needs as determined by the AEC. Some were tent type hutments up to what was called a D house with 3 bedrooms. Some lived in army dormitories. No buildings were painted except a few commercial buildings which again were government. There was no air conditioning in those days. It was certainly a fun place to grow up.
there was only one person in the city with a camera. the person was Ed Wescott who worked for the US Atomic Energy Commission and documented the construction and operation of the city and refining process. Everything in the city was owned by the government until 1957 if I remember correctly.
I worked for the AEC / DOE for a while and did the same type of work as ED. Ed is retired now and in poor health. I had a chance to work with him on a project years ago and found him to be a superb fellow. some of his images are now available to the public and I thought some of you might like a glimpse into the super secret city of Oak Ridge during WWII.
LIfe was much like any other town but as you can see from the photos there were many temporary makeshift houses. Some had canvas sides and metal roofs. Others were made of a material made from pressed corn cobs called cemesto. Each family was assigned to a house or apartment according to their needs as determined by the AEC. Some were tent type hutments up to what was called a D house with 3 bedrooms. Some lived in army dormitories. No buildings were painted except a few commercial buildings which again were government. There was no air conditioning in those days. It was certainly a fun place to grow up.
