X-10 control

Though several reactors or "piles" had been built before, this was the world's first production reactor. It was designed to produce, in quantity, plutonium, as well as other isotopes. It was to serve as the prototype for the Hanford reactors, as well as the others which would produce the plutonium for our Cold War nuclear arsenal.

Like the reactor itself, the reactor control room was a fairly primitive place, by today's standards. It was primarily a place where heat, and radiation were measured and graphed.

The main console, showing reactor power, as indicated by heat, and the communications switchboard for talking to the loaders, and safety personel.

A number of chart recorders track temperatures of all parts of the reactor.

The main temperature gauge.

More chart recorders, off to the side of the main console.

Old glass pressure tubes, like those used in boilers and locomotives were used for some measurements. this was way before the digital era.

More graphing charts, as well as some power supply, and power rectifying gear.

This is the isotope room. There were cells here, which could be loaded with substances and then sent into the reactor core for irradiation. This is how most experimental, and medical isotopes are still made.

Openings for isotope production are show here. Number 16 is circled due to the possibility that this is the fist place in which power was generated, if only briefly.

Shielding for isotope production.

Holders for radioactive isotopes, allowing them to be safely handled.