Dayton’s Classified Nuclear Past

“The work in Dayton was so essential to the success of the bomb project and so deeply hidden within the already-secure Manhattan Project…” (60).

The Book

When most people hear about the development of the atomic bomb, their first thought is not Dayton, Ohio. Author Linda Carrick Thomas sets out to change that in Polonium in the Playhouse: The Manhattan Project’s Secret Chemistry Work in Dayton, Ohio. That secret work, to produce refined polonium for the nuclear bomb trigger mechanism, still remains the most classified aspect of the Manhattan Project today.

The first atomic bomb was dropped on August 6, 1945. Only seven years earlier evidence of nuclear fission was found in uranium, making atomic weapons possible; and, four years earlier British scientists announced that an atomic bomb could be ready in two years. These two events accelerated the work of US scientists and military personnel in atomic weapons. The Manhattan Project was created in the summer of 1942 and housed in the Army, to ensure total secrecy. There were several locations throughout the country that were compartmentalized to help protect the work from any leaks.

Dayton was home to several locations, beginning in the spring of 1943. The Dayton Project operated in the Monsanto laboratory, leased space from the Dayton Board of Education, and converted the Talbott family’s private hall. The latter two were located in the heart of neighborhoods. Twenty-four-hour guards kept an eye on the work, as trucks with radioactive material drove in and out of the facilities. The chemists in Dayton purified polonium for the plutonium implosion bomb, with the first shipment for purification arriving in April 1945. Three months later, there was enough purified to test the first atomic bomb in New Mexico. Just two weeks after that, the parts for the plutonium bomb (Fat Man) arrived in the Pacific and it was dropped on Nagasaki August 9. It isn’t until then that the Dayton Project workers finally learned what they had been working on.

After World War II, nuclear research transitioned to universities and national laboratories. A new facility was built in Miamisburg, Ohio to continue the polonium work until it was decommissioned in 1993. Parts of the Dayton Project were declassified in 1983 and the late 1990s. As of the writing of this book, 2017, some is still classified.

Polonium in the Playhouse is a compact book that introduces the reader to many different parts of the story: the Manhattan Project, the Dayton Project, chemistry and nuclear research, and key individuals. For the most part, the chapters move quickly and the science is easy to follow. Thomas situates the Dayton Project within the greater Manhattan Project, explains the methods for recovering polonium from lead dioxide, and describes the polonium purification process. I found it helpful to read the first appendix, a science primer, before the narrative dives into the development of the bomb (in between chapters two and three). Black and white photos, charts, and drawings—directly related to the surrounding text—help readers visualize the people and science.

The Place

The Mound Cold War Discovery Center could be easily missed. It’s 20 minutes south of Dayton and in an unassuming office building. Across the street is the Miamisburg Mound, a prehistoric burial site that commands your attention more than the Discovery Center. However, once inside, visitors quickly learn how significant this site was to the ending of World War II. When I went with my dad—a former chemist and employee for a nuclear energy company—we spent quite a bit of time there. The accessible hands-on exhibits and artifacts helped to tell the story that began with racing to develop an atomic bomb and ended with satellite communications. I particularly enjoyed the Geiger counter that demonstrates how radiation protection works.

The Discovery Center is open Wednesday-Saturday from 10am to 4pm; admission and parking are free. It is self-guided, but group tours can be arranged. Depending on your interest level, you could spend less than an hour or over an hour there. The Mound Cold War Discovery Center is worth the drive, for it is just another reminder about the role Dayton has played in historic events throughout the years.

Two Boys from Dayton

 “…the distinctive popping, cluttering, flapping sound of engine and propellers drifted over from the Huffman pasture. The Wright boys were at it again” (289).

The Book

The Bishop’s Boys: A Life of Wilbur and Orville Wright by Tom Crouch is an in-depth look at the two men who succeeded where everyone else failed, inventing heavier than air powered flight. Wilbur and Orville were determined and meticulous. Their differences complemented each other, while their ability to argue through a problem spurred them to new ideas.

Crouch divides the book into three sections: Family, Wings, and World. “Family” lays the ground work for the following sections by exploring the lives and influence of the Wright Brothers’ parents, Milton and Susan, the experiences that shaped the brothers, and their early careers in printing and bicycles. “Wings” focuses on the early experiments of the brothers, from the late 1890s to 1904. Often bored, the brothers would look for another project. Wilbur became interested in flight first, with Orville joining later. Here is where their differences begin to complement each other: Wilbur was interested in the big picture and Orville in making the big picture work. Unlike all others pursuing flight, Wilbur believed the pilot needed complete control of all axes of flight – just like on a bicycle. This belief impacted the design of all their gliders and flyers.

After spending several years traveling to Kitty Hawk, NC, and realizing that this was no longer a hobby, the brothers searched for an alternative closer to home. In Spring 1904, they chose Huffman Prairie for its isolation (eight miles from Dayton) and location on the interurban line (a form of public transit). The 1904 machine struggled due to poor flying weather and mechanical problems. But, once the brothers built a catapult to launch the flyer, the take-offs were less risky and flights more successful. “World” begins with the success of the 1905 Wright Flyer III at Huffman Prairie. Throughout the Fall, their flights are increasingly longer, they demonstrate complete control over the machine, and attract spectators. Not long after, the brothers stopped flying to focus on obtaining a patent and contracts to sell the plane. The bulk of the section details the ups and downs of negotiating with the US and European governments, creation of the Wright Company, and maintaining their status as the first in flight. The brothers are often labeled as fakes due to their insistence on secrecy (all to protect their design). When Wilbur passes away in 1912, at the age of 45, Orville lost interest in the company. He sold it and walked away, preferring to tinker in his Dayton laboratory for the rest of his life.

Crouch writes in an engaging way, describing the technical details and experiments that are easy to understand and visualize. In some cases, the narrative slows to a play by play. Here, the reader can almost imagine what it would have been like to fly for the first time or watch a man fly for the first time. Crouch relies heavily on long passages from family letters to provide details and character insight, helping the reader visualize who Wilbur and Orville were. I particularly liked the chapters in the “Wings” section that explored Wilbur’s early thoughts about flight and where to experiment. There are a handful of black and white photos interspersed in the chapters; it would have been nice to have a few more of them. There were two areas where I think opportunities were missed. One was the too brief mention of the Wright Brothers Home Days Celebration in Dayton and the other was too much time spent on biographies of other individuals.

The Place

The Huffman Prairie Interpretive Center sits high above the Huffman Prairie Flying Field, where the Wright Brothers flew the world’s first practical airplane in 1905. On a clear day, it’s easy to imagine the Wright Flyer III soaring over the trees and circling the prairie. There may be some other curious people there and you strike up a conversation about a sight you have never seen before or thought was even possible!

I recommend that visitors start at the museum. It focuses on the Wright Brothers time at Huffman Prairie: developing and testing the Flyers and the flying school they started in 1910. There is very little overlap between this museum and the other sites in Dayton. Just outside is a memorial, dedicated in 1940. Once you complete your time in the museum, you can drive down to the flying field. A replica barn and catapult sit in the field, similar to the ones the Wright Brothers would have used, and interpretive signs are scattered around the field.

The Center is located on a public section of the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The Air Force has preserved the Flying Field and the National Park Service runs the museum. It can be a bit difficult to find, but isn’t far from the National Museum of the United States Air Force. It won’t take visitors long to explore the museum or view the flying field and admission is free.

“A Place Where Things Were Happening”

“[Dayton] began as a place where things were traded. It grew to be a place where things were made. From that, it became a place where things were invented. In this, it was the most Midwestern of places” (18).

The Book

Grand Eccentrics: Turning the Century: Dayton and the Inventing of America does something few books attempt; it is a group biography of five men who had an outsized influence on the lives of all who came after them. While they each impacted one area (or more) of daily life and had different personalities, there were common threads to their stories: residency in Dayton, OH and an inquisitive mind. 

John H. Patterson purchased majority control of the National Manufacturing Company in 1884, which included the rights to the cash register (invented by another Daytonian), and renamed it National Cash Register (NCR). Always seeking to one-up the competition, Patterson created the sales convention, sales pitch, sales training, and direct mail advertising. He provided educational opportunities for his employees and believed that better worker conditions would equal better productivity. He was also demanding, frequently fired employees, and operated with a chip on his shoulder. 

The Wright Brothers (Wilbur and Orville) spent fifty-five months, working part-time, to solve the question of flight. They systematically and meticulously tackled the problem and recognized that flight was just as much about pilot control as getting the plane in the air. Their flights at Huffman Prairie, outside of Dayton, drew hundreds of spectators, but they disliked the publicity. 

James Cox purchased Dayton’s The Daily News in 1898, starting him on a path to a media empire that eventually included other papers, radio and TV stations in Ohio and beyond (Cox Enterprises). He served as Dayton’s congressional representative and then three terms as Ohio’s governor. As governor he restricted child labor, created no fault worker’s compensation, and helped unify the state’s highway system. In 1920, he was the Democratic nominee for president, with Franklin D. Roosevelt as his running mate. However, his decision to make entry to the League of Nations his main issue hurt his chances. 

Charles Kettering began working for NCR’s Inventions department in 1904 and soon invented the electric cash register. He would go on to invent the automobile self-starter and quick drying paint. For 27 years, he was the manager of GM’s Research Corporation, where he developed leaded gasoline, diesel train engines, and Freon. Kettering’s mind was always thinking of the next problem to solve. The wealth he earned from his inventions provided the opportunity to found organizations focused on those problems, like Memorial-Sloan Kettering Hospital and the Kettering Foundation (where the author of this blog is an employee). 

In late March 1913, the Dayton region was the victim of a catastrophic flood. “Fifteen square miles of Dayton lay under six to eighteen feet of water” (144) as a result of heavy rain, already moist ground, and levee failures. Dayton’s leadership hired Arthur Morgan to create long-term and conclusive flood prevention. He created the first regional flood control system in the US and invented the hydraulic jump to support the dry dams. The flood control system is still in place today, protecting downtown Dayton and the surrounding areas. 

Grand Eccentrics was truly a joy to read. Bernstein writes in a way that propels the overall narrative forward, while focusing on the five men and their accomplishments (even the chapter titles are clever). Anecdotal stories are woven throughout, for both context and insight, and are supplemented by quotes from the “grand eccentrics”, their contemporaries, and newspapers. The earlier chapters are focused on one man at a time, exploring their ideas and work. The later chapters focus on moments that impacted all of the men and how they were involved (like the Dayton Flood or World War I). Readers of all types will find this group biography interesting and the narrative easy to follow.

The Place

The shadows of the “grand eccentrics” are long throughout the Dayton area. Several places are already featured in this blog* and two more are highlighted in this post. 

First, is the Dayton Inventors River Walk. Located downtown Dayton (northeast corner of Main St. and Monument Ave.) and along the Great Miami River, visitors walk amongst life-sized versions of the inventions detailed in Grand Eccentrics: Kettering’s automobile self-starter, Morgan’s hydraulic jump, the Wright flyer, and Patterson’s cash register. There are additional inventions, from after the time of the “grand eccentrics”: the search engine, pop-top can, and ice cube tray. We visited during Thanksgiving weekend, when the River Walk wasn’t crowded, but the fountains were not turned on. 

Second, is the Woodland Cemetery & Arboretum, where four of the five “grand eccentrics” are buried: James Cox, Charles Kettering, John Patterson, and the Wright brothers. Other notable Daytonians are also buried at Woodland. My family visited after we walked the Dayton Inventors River Walk. Visitors are permitted to drive through the cemetery on their own or can sign-up for a variety of tours (both broad and specific). There is also a lookout section that provides a great view of downtown Dayton. 

*For additional locations see these blog posts:

Dayton Aviators (Jan. 8, 2019)
Lighter than Air (Jan. 7, 2014)

Father of the United States Air Force

“In Mitchell’s view, room had to be made for aeronautics as an equal partner of the Army and Navy, if the United States were to protect its interests in a world that was rapidly shrinking with every technical advance” (40).

The Book

Brigadier General William “Billy” Mitchell is one of those interesting characters in United States history. His aeronautical ideas were ahead of their time; the urgent and controversial way he chose to publicize them resulted in his court-martial from the United States Army. In Billy Mitchell: Crusader for Air Power, author Alfred F. Hurley presents a biography that focuses on Mitchell’s ideas and how they interacted with the contemporary dominant individuals and viewpoints. 

Billy Mitchell enlisted in the United States Army in 1898, at the start of the Spanish-American War. His early military career led him to Cuba and the Philippines and in 1901 he officially joined the Signal Corp of the regular Army. In this capacity, Mitchell surveyed the communications work in Alaska and participated in the experimental research at Fort Leavenworth. As early as 1906, he recognized the military potential of lighter-than-air craft, which set his military career on a new trajectory. 

When Mitchell was sent to Europe as an aeronautical observer in April 1917, he was introduced to the theory of aerial warfare. It was clear to him that the United States lacked the equipment, support, and training for the new role aviation was set to play. After World War I, Mitchell set out to champion a separate branch for an air force and the significance of military aviation. Frustrated when his ideas fell on deaf ears, Mitchell often turned to the press to directly appeal to the public. This frustration came to a head when the Navy once again stood in the way of funding for a separate air branch of the military. In 1925, Mitchell was found guilty on disciplinary charges and court-martialed. While Mitchell’s military career was at an end, the Administration began to take military aviation more seriously. In the Epilogue, Hurley vindicates Mitchell’s theories and ideas, despite the way he handled himself, by considering aviation’s role in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. 

This was a unique biography because there is little time spent on Mitchell’s personal life, other than his family background and early years. Minimal context is provided to ground the narrative and the focus is squarely on the military. Despite that, the book is still easy to read and would be interesting to both the average reader and the avid military buff. Each chapter begins with a brief introduction and ends with a summary and a foreshadow of the next chapter. There are two sections of black and white candid and staged photos. For those who might wish to visualize the story, a film was made in 1955: The Court Martial of Billy Mitchell.

The Place

The National Museum of the United States Air Force is a museum unlike many others. According to the website, it is “the world’s largest military aviation museum”, and it definitely feels like it when you walk in the doors. There are four large hangers that display thousands of aircraft (from the early years of the 20^th century to space missions) and plenty of descriptions for those that want to learn more in-depth. Aircraft hang from the ceiling and are displayed at eye level, some with additional artifacts and mannequins to set the scene. There are several planes that visitors can walk through. Some of my favorite exhibits include the Doolittle Raid and Memphis Belle (WWII gallery), the Missile gallery, and Air Force One (Presidential gallery). 

Both admission and parking are free and the museum is open seven days a week, from 9am to 5pm. It can easily become overwhelming to a first-time visitor and it is impossible to do everything in one day. Free tours are available, if visitors would like to do more than observe the aircraft and read signs. The tours are divided up by hanger and start at the respective information desks. When I was a kid, my family would often go more than once a year. The sheer size allowed for the kids to work off their energy, especially on rainy or cold days. If you only have one day to visit, my recommendation would be to plan based on your interests or to focus on one hanger.

Ask the Man Who Owns One

“Packard was a company where people mattered. The firm always had a distinct personality, an image fashioned by the men who guided its destinies” (3).

The Book

In The Fall of the Packard Motor Car Company, author James A. Ward takes a close look at the rise of Packard and the events that led to its demise. While the title of the book is negative, Ward closes with the fact that Packard lasted 59 years as an independent automaker, longer than many of its contemporaries. 

In 1899, brothers James Ward Packard and William Doud Packard tested their first car in Warren, Ohio. Three years later, the company became the Packard Motor Car Company and soon the plant moved to Detroit. Packard quickly became known for craftmanship, engineering, and innovation. “For years, practically everybody who was anybody advertised his worldly success with a Packard” (10). Packard was the car for the wealthy, but the company struggled to break into the market for moderately priced cars. 

The late 1930s brought tension between those who wanted to remain a luxury brand and those who wanted to cut costs and sell less expensive models. This tension would have an impact on the company’s reputation and sales. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Packard continued to innovate (air conditioning and power windows) and picked up defense contracts (the engines for PT boats), but struggled to compete with the larger car companies through production and quality. As sales declined and the market worsened, Packard merged with Studebaker in 1954. Unfortunately, Studebaker was in worse shape and dragged Packard down with it. Packard’s plant shut down in 1956. The last “Packards” were released in 1958, but they were built from Studebaker parts. 

One of the first things a reader will notice is the classy design (interior and exterior) of the book. This was intentional, a way to invoke a Packard car. Each chapter begins with a black and white image of a different Packard car, further grounding the reader in car mode. The reader learns about the various men who left their mark on Packard, the competitors, and specifications of models. Two photo sections help readers see the cars described in the book. Sometimes, it feels like the narrative gets lost in the weeds of model specifications, finances, management styles, and production. Despite that, the reader walks away with an appreciation for the car industry and the uphill battle to keep the Packard Motor Car Company solvent.

The Place

America’s Packard Museum is a hidden gem located in Dayton, Ohio. One thing that makes this museum unique is that it is located in an original Packard dealership building. The large glass windows display an array of Packards to passersby and the interior shows off both the sales room and the service room. The cars on display range from the early days of Packard until the last model. Visitors are able to get up close to see the craftsmanship and change in designs. My favorite part was seeing all the different hood ornaments. 

The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday in the Fall and Winter, from noon to 5pm. There is an admission fee for adults and seniors. There are three rooms of cars to explore and each car has a placard. Depending on your interest level, you could spend a couple of hours at the museum. If it’s a slow day, the volunteer on duty may be able to spend more time answering your questions.

Dayton Aviators

“With their homemade machine, Wilbur and Orville Wright had shown without a doubt that man could fly and if the world did not yet know it, they did” (107).

The Book

Much has been said and written about Wilbur and Orville Wright; the down-to-earth brothers who brought flight to the world. Yet, The Wright Brothers by David McCullough, still provides the reader with a fresh take on a well-loved story.

The first several pages serve as an orientation to the Wright Brothers as adults-a character sketch helping the reader understand who these two men were. The rest of the book helps the reader to see those character sketches in action, from early days through all the time spent tinkering and experimenting to recognition as the inventors of the airplane.  

McCullough provides a brief overview of the family history, the Wright Brothers as children, and their early jobs (printing and bicycle makers). After setting the stage with the first flights in Kitty Hawk (1900-1903), McCullough focuses the book on what happened next. The reader learns of the test flights at Huffman Prairie outside Dayton, OH, the early interest of both Britain and France (but not America) in the Wright Flyer, and the time spent, by both brothers, staging demonstrations in Europe and America. Throughout the book, it becomes clear that Wilbur and Orville were meticulous, protective, and committed to solving the centuries old question of flight.

The Wright Brothers is well-written and easy to read. McCullough introduces enough technical language to help the reader grasp the development of flight, but also provides explanations to help the reader understand. Family letters are used to help show what the various members of the Wright family were thinking or experiencing. This lends authenticity to the book. The reader walks away with a greater appreciation for the Wright Brothers and amazement at how quickly the airplane developed.

The Place

Dayton, OH provides numerous opportunities to explore the lives of two of her favorite sons. Two of these provide a look at the early chapters and the last chapters of the Wright Brothers lives.

First, is the Wright Cycle Complex. This complex includes the Wright’s fourth bicycle shop and a museum. Tours of the bicycle shop are provided for visitors. The museum encompasses several parts: the Wright Brothers, the history of innovation, Paul Laurence Dunbar (an African-American poet who was friends with the Orville Wright), the location of the Wright’s printing shop, and a parachute museum. Admission is free, but there are seasonal operating hours. Just blocks away, is the location of the original Wright Family home on Hawthorn Street.

Second, is Hawthorn Hill, the home completed in 1914 for the family to live in (Orville, sister Katherine, and father Bishop). Unfortunately, Wilbur died prior to its completion. Hawthorn Hill is a beautiful house that is currently being restored to the way it looked when the Wrights lived there. The restoration does not prevent tours, which are offered twice on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Pre-paid admission is required and visitors ride a bus to the home. 

Setting the Stage

“The Turner Opera House [later the Victoria Theater] was hailed as the most beautiful theater west of Philadelphia” (11).

The Book

The Victoria Theatre in Dayton, Ohio experienced name changes, disasters, renovations, star performers, and epic performances throughout its history. Authors Bruce and Virginia Ronald introduce this storied history in Now Playing: An Informal History of the Victoria Theatre.

In 1866, the Turner Opera House opened after two years of construction. However, the first disaster occurred in 1869 when the Opera House burned down with only the front façade surviving. The Music Hall opened in 1871, was renamed the Victoria Theatre in 1899, the 1913 Dayton flood ruined the interior, and in 1918 the theatre burned again. In addition, the Victoria Theatre struggled with management, theatre goers, and finances.

Despite all this, the Theatre provided entertainment for the people of Dayton-bringing well-known performers and lavish productions. Some of the people to perform at the Victoria Theatre were:  Buffalo Bill, Harry Houdini, Ethel Barrymore, Helen Hayes, Henry Fonda, Rex Harrison, and Anna Pavlowa. Lecturers also stopped at the Victoria: Mark Twain, Oscar Wilde, Frederick Douglass, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and William Jennings Bryan. Productions included a massive live cast for Ben-Hur, touring companies, and stock companies.

In 1971 the Victoria Theatre was in danger of being turn down. Residents of Dayton worked hard to save the theatre and in 1989 a full-scale renovation was made possible through local donations. When it re-opened in 1990, the lobby and double staircase were close replicas of the 1871 design.

Now Playing: An Informal History of the Victoria Theatre is just what is says: an informal history. The book is comprised of short snippets (making for a quick read or a coffee table book) that are organized topically and chronologically. Readers interested in Dayton theatre history or even American theatre history will find this book engaging. Sometimes it is difficult to determine when the authors are discussing Dayton theatre history or American theatre history. However, Now Playing: An Informal History of the Victoria Theatre provides a glimpse into the development of theatre in America, through the lens of Dayton, Ohio.

The Place

Today, the Victoria Theatre still operates live theatre, a ballet studio, and a summer film series. Live theatre is what the Victoria Theatre was designed for, however, for visitors on a budget the summer film series is the way to go. For $6 you can view a classic film and have free popcorn and soda in the lobby.

There are ample opportunities for area residents or visitors to take in the marble grand staircase in the lobby or the green décor in the auditorium. When you attend a performance or summer film, make sure to take time to appreciate the architecture inside and out. The details on the light fixtures in the auditorium reveal the craftsmanship from years ago and the classic lobby remind visitors they are stepping back in time.

Lighter Than Air

“The very notion of wing-warping [a process the Wright Brothers invented] was to increase the lift on one side of the glider while decreasing lift on the other side, thus inducing a banking roll toward the side with less lift” (131).

The Book

To Conquer the Air: The Wright Brothers and the Great Race for Flight is mainly a book about Wilbur and Orville Wright. However, author James Tobin does more than just introduce the reader to the Wright Brothers. He provides the details of how flight was achieved and the other men who were attempting their own versions of aerorplanes (the original word for airplanes) or gliders. Throughout the book, Tobin weaves together the stories of the Wright Brothers and their contemporaries. The reader sees the frustration and joy that comes with any invention; years were spent perfecting a small part or a theory.  

Many of the Wright Brothers own words are included in the text. In one passage, Wilbur explains the feeling of flying, “There is a sense of exhilaration in flying through the free air, an intensity of enjoyment, which possibly may be due to the satisfaction of an inborn longing transmitted to us from the days when our early ancestors gazed wonderingly at the free flight of birds and contrasted it with their own slow and toilsome progress through the unbroken wilderness” (238). The reader gens a sense of what it must have been like to soar in an open air glider.

There are parts of the book that are difficult to get through. Tobin includes many explanations of theories and the technical process of building gliders. Several chapters focus on other men who were attempting to invent a flying machine. It is interesting to read about the different ideas each man had. Ultimately, the Wright Brothers would create the device that would be the predecessor to modern airplanes.

The Place

Wilbur and Orville Wright were from Dayton, Ohio and owned a bicycle shop where they built gliders during the winter. Today, Dayton’s motto is the “Birthplace of Aviation.” Carillon Park provides visitors a history of Dayton that includes the original 1905 Wright Flyer III. Visitors are able to walk into buildings that were a part of Dayton’s history, learn about Dayton’s involvement with innovation and World War II, and see the changes in public transportation. Many of the exhibits are hands on, which is great for small children.

Dayton has many other aviation sites to explore. A part of this list is the National Air Force Museum. I grew up going to this museum and it has always been one of my favorites. The admission is free and the museum provides an up close view of airplanes from the Wright Brothers to the present day. The museum is in a giant hanger and some airplanes are open for visitors to climb in and imagine being a pilot.