GLEEP the first nuclear reactor in Western Europe was built at Harwell in 1946.In 1946, because of its proximity to Oxford, an RAF airfield at Harwell was chosen as the site for research and development into civil nuclear power by the Atomic Energy Research Establishment (AERE). The first reactor in Europe (GLEEP -Graphite Low Energy Experimental Pile) was installed here in the 1946 followed by DIDO (1956) and PLUTO (1957). GLEEP was used to investigate how to make a reactor work and later as an international standard for materials testing and calibration allowing scientists to calculate for example how steel would behave after 40 years in a nuclear power station. Such work proved invaluable in the development of the UK's nuclear power programme. The Harwell site continued to develop and today provides a world leading centre for science, technology and innovation and is home to amongst others the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory and the Diamond Light Source synchrotron.
Dummy fuel rod for nuclear test reactor
Contributed by Oxfordshire Museums
Most of the content on A History of the World is created by the contributors, who are the museums and members of the public. The views expressed are theirs and unless specifically stated are not those of the 91Èȱ¬ or the British Museum. The 91Èȱ¬ is not responsible for the content of any external sites referenced. In the event that you consider anything on this page to be in breach of the site’s House Rules please Flag This Object.
About this object
Click a button to explore other objects in the timeline
- Location
- Culture
- Period
- Theme
- Size
- Colour
- Material
View more objects from people in Oxford.
Find out more
Podcast
Highlights from the collection
91Èȱ¬ iD
91Èȱ¬ navigation
91Èȱ¬ links
91Èȱ¬ © 2014 The 91Èȱ¬ is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read more.
This page is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with style sheets (CSS) enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets (CSS) if you are able to do so.
Share this link: