The University of Chicago Library > The Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center > Finding Aids > Guide to the Association of Los Alamos Scientists Records 1945-1948
© 2009 University of Chicago Library
Title: | Association of Los Alamos Scientists. Records |
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Dates: | 1945-1948 |
Size: | 5.5 linear feet (11 boxes) |
Repository: |
Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center |
Abstract: | The Association of Los Alamos Scientists (ALAS) was founded on August 30, 1945, by scientists who had worked on the development of the atomic bomb. The purpose of the organization was "to promote the attainment and use of scientific technological advances in the best interests of humanity." The records of the ALAS include correspondence, memoranda, reports, minutes, membership lists, financial records, press releases, newsletters, photographs and glass slides of atomic explosions. The collection documents the efforts of the ALAS to promote international control of atomic energy by sponsoring educational programs and influencing federal legislation. |
The collection is open for research.
When quoting material from this collection, the preferred citation is: Association of Los Alamos Scientists. Records, [Box #, Folder #], Hanna Holborn Gray Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.
The Association of Los Alamos Scientists was founded on August 30, 1945, by a group of scientists who had worked on the development of the atomic bomb. The organizational manifesto declared its purpose to be “to promote the attainment and use of scientific and technological advances in the best interests of humanity.” The scientists went on to recognize that they, “by virtue of their special knowledge, have, in certain spheres, special political and social responsibilities beyond their obligations as individual citizens.” The association believed it could carry out these responsibilities by keeping its members informed, “and by providing a forum through which their views can be publicly and authoritatively expressed.” The ALAS concentrated its activities principally in promoting international control of atomic energy and channeling it into peaceful uses. It also concerned itself with public promotion of science, mainly through federal legislation, and the freedom and integrity of scientists and scientific research. The group undertook a program of public education on the nature and control of atomic energy through lectures, films, and exhibits, and the distribution of literature. It attempted to influence public policy by authoritative statements to the press and correspondence with high government officials and congressmen.
The Association of Los Alamos Scientists records consists of 5.5 linear feet and covers the period from 1945 to 1948. The records include business and financial arrangements of the association, membership lists, and minutes of meetings, which help document some opinions and attitudes held by various prominent scientists involved in the atomic energy question. The records also include press releases, statements, memoranda, information sheets, newsletters, correspondence with related groups, congressmen, and private citizens, and other miscellaneous material, including photographs of atomic explosions and the resulting devastation.
Box 1 Folder 1 | Appointment of Albert Goodman, Secretary-treasurer, 1948 |
Box 1 Folder 2 | Bank statements, 1945-1948 |
Box 1 Folder 3 | Bills paid, 1945-1949 |
Box 1 Folder 4 | Check books, 1945-1949 |
Box 1 Folder 5 | Collector of Internal Revenue, 1946-1948 |
Box 1 Folder 6 | Employment security, 1946-1947 |
Box 1 Folder 7 | Financial reports, 1945-1948 |
Box 1 Folder 8 | Nominating petitions (sample copies), n.d. |
Box 1 Folder 9 | Office arrangements, n.d. |
Box 1 Folder 10 | Post Office permit, 1948 |
Box 1 Folder 11 | Receipt book, ledger, 1945-1949 |
Box 1 Folder 12 | Routing slips (sample copies)n.d. |
Box 1 Folder 13 | Work orders (mimeographing), n.d. |
Box 2 Folder 1 | Army relations 1945 |
Box 2 Folder 2 | Articles submitted for publication, 1947-48 |
Box 2 Folder 3 | Clipping bureau report, 1945 |
Box 2 Folder 4 | Constitution and incorporation papers, n.d. |
Box 2 Folder 5 | Early activities of ALAS, founding statements, etc., Aug.-Oct. 1945 |
Box 2 Folder 6 | Executive committee, elections, 1945-1947 |
Box 2 Folder 7 | Executive committee, minutes, 1947-1948 |
Box 2 Folder 8 | Fact Finding Committee, n.d. |
Box 2 Folder 9 | Federation of American Scientists, n.d. |
Box 2 Folder 10 | Film showing, 1947 |
Box 2 Folder 11 | Form letters, n.d. |
Box 2 Folder 12 | Lilienthal petition, 1947 |
Box 2 Folder 13 | Mailing lists, n.d. |
Box 2 Folder 14 | Master dittos, n.d. |
Box 2 Folder 15 | Membership lists, n.d. |
Box 2 Folder 16 | Minutes, general meetings, 1945-1946 |
Box 2 Folder 17 | National organizations, correspondence, n.d. |
Box 2 Folder 18 | Newsletter Nos. 1-31 (no. 11 missing), 1945-1946 |
Box 2 Folder 19 | Outline of program for ALAS group meetings or general meetings, n.d. |
Box 3 Folder 1 | Committee of Facts |
Box 3 Folder 2 | Fused sand project, January, 1946 |
Box 3 Folder 3 | Pamphlet, "Our Atomic World", proof and correspondence |
Box 3 Folder 4 | Policy formulation, statements, letters |
Box 3 Folder 5 | Press releases |
Box 3 Folder 6 | Proposed journal |
Box 3 Folder 7 | Proposed questionnaire |
Box 3 Folder 8 | Proposed summary of views on the United Nations Atomic Energy Commission |
Box 3 Folder 9 | Publications committee |
Box 3 Folder 10 | Publicity ideas |
Box 3 Folder 11 | Published articles |
Box 3 Folder 12 | Santa Fe meeting, December, 1945 |
Box 3 Folder 13 | Speakers, 1945-1948 |
Box 3 Folder 14 | Statewide conferences, 1946-1947 |
Box 3 Folder 15 | Study of military subsidy of research, 1947 |
Box 3 Folder 16 | Visual aid material |
Box 3 Folder 17 | Miscellaneous reports
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Box 4 Folder 1 | Correspondence, A-As, n.d. |
Box 4 Folder 2 | Correspondence, Association of Scientists for Atomic Education, n.d. |
Box 4 Folder 3 | Correspondence, Atomic Scientists of Chicago, n.d. |
Box 4 Folder 4 | Correspondence, B, n.d. |
Box 4 Folder 5 | Correspondence, C, n.d. |
Box 4 Folder 6 | Correspondence, D-E, n.d. |
Box 4 Folder 7 | Correspondence, Federation of American Scientists, n.d. |
Box 4 Folder 8 | Correspondence, Federation of American Scientists, n.d. |
Box 4 Folder 9 | Correspondence, Federation of American Scientists, n.d. |
Box 4 Folder 10 | Correspondence, Fel-G, n.d. |
Box 4 Folder 11 | Correspondence, H-K, n.d. |
Box 4 Folder 12 | Correspondence, L-M, n.d. |
Box 5 Folder 1 | Correspondence, N, n.d. |
Box 5 Folder 2 | Correspondence, O-P, n.d. |
Box 5 Folder 3 | Correspondence, R-Se, n.d. |
Box 5 Folder 4 | Correspondence, Sh-Sz, n.d. |
Box 5 Folder 5 | Correspondence, T, n.d. |
Box 5 Folder 6 | Correspondence, U-Z, n.d. |
Box 5 Folder 7 | Congressional Correspondence, n.d. |
Box 5 Folder 8 | Crank letters, n.d. |
Box 5 Folder 9 | Material on Ball Bill, 1945 (mostly correspondence), n.d. |
Box 5 Folder 10 | Material on Kilgore-Magnuson Bill, 1946 (mostly correspondence), n.d. |
Box 5 Folder 11 | Material on May-Johnson Bill, 1945-46 (mostly correspondence), n.d. |
Box 5 Folder 12 | Material on Navy Tests (Bikini), 1946 (mostly correspondence), n.d. |
Box 5 Folder 13 | Radio scripts (10 programs presented by ALAS, nos. 9-10 missing), n.d. |
Box 5 Folder 14 | Statements, miscellaneous press releases, articles, etc., n.d. |
Box 6 | Membership files, A-N, n.d. |
Box 7 | Membership files, O-Z, n.d. |
Box 7 | Membership files, A-Z, n.d. |
Box 7 | Loose leaf notebook, members, minutes, n.d. |
Box 8 | Membership receipt books, n.d. |
Box 9 | Atomic bomb tests, glass slides, n.d. |
Box 10 | Atomic bomb tests, glass slides, n.d. |
Box 11 Folder 1 | Atomic bomb tests, photographs, n.d. |
Box 11 Folder 2 | Atomic bomb tests, photographs, n.d. |
Box 11 Folder 3 | Atomic bomb tests, photographs, n.d. |
Box 11 Folder 4 | Atomic bomb tests, photographs, n.d. |
Box 11 Folder 5 | Atomic bomb tests, photographs, n.d. |
Box 11 Folder 6 | Atomic bomb tests, 3x4 negatives and prints, n.d. |
Box 11 Folder 7 | Microfilm (2 rolls), unidentified, n.d. |
Box 11 Folder 8 | Scrapbook, n.d. |