A National
Historic Landmark
It was a simple string of four 200-watt light
bulbs hanging in a nondescript room, but it was also the start of
a new era in history. When the scientists working at the National
Reactor Testing Station—now known as Idaho National Laboratory—powered that string of lights in 1951 at Experimental
Breeder Reactor 1 (EBR-1), they proved that nuclear energy
could be a practical source of power.
The reactor ran from 1951 to 1964 before it was decommissioned and named a national historic landmark in 1966. Today,
EBR-1 is a museum that people can tour seven days a week from
Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Visitors can see the
control room and stand on top of the reactor where the discovery
was made, as well as a wall signed by (almost) all of the scientists, engineers and support staff that were there in 1951 when
the four light bulbs were lit. It looks much the same as it did
over a half century ago. In addition to EBR-1, there are three
other 1950’s-era reactors on display. No appointment is needed
and visitors from school groups to individuals traveling through
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