ATOMIC TESTING was undertaken in Australia between 1952 and 1963 as Britain sought to develop its own nuclear weapons. The Australian government readily supplied test sites and logistical support, mistakenly believing that greater access to nuclear technology would result.
The clouds of radioactive fallout are descending and humanity is doomed to extinction. In Nevil Shute’s book, On the Beach, the inhabitants of Melbourne await their end – the final victims of a 37 day nuclear war that has destroyed the northern hemisphere. John Osborne, played by Fred Astaire in the film version, decides to [...]
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Posted 01 July 1996
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atomic age § conference presentations
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Also tagged: AAEC, ANU, ASIO, atomic bomb, atomic energy, Bikini Atoll, Cold War, crossroads, CSIRO, David Rivett, George Briggs, Les Martin, Lucas Heights, Maralinga, Mark Oliphant, Monte Bello Islands, progress, secrets, uranium, Woomera
Then there was a great flash that reached the far horizon. Even Dr Penney, who had witnessed the first historic cataclysm in the desert at Almagordo and later seen a bomb burst over Japan, described the scene as ‘terrifying’ as he turned around to find the frigate Plym had vanished and to see a great [...]
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Posted 01 December 1985
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articles and book chapters § atomic age
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Also tagged: atomic bomb, atomic tests, Ernest Titterton, Les Martin, Maralinga, Mark Oliphant, Monte Bello Islands, RG Menzies, secrets, WAS Butement, William Penney
