Lost Women of Science
They Remembered the Lost Women of the Manhattan Project So That We Wouldn't Forget
Aug 31, 2023
Physicists Ruth Howes and Caroline Herzenberg explore the forgotten female scientists of the Manhattan Project, documenting their crucial roles in building a nuclear weapon. Their book 'Lost Women of the Manhattan Project' highlights how these women were overlooked in formal histories. The hosts discuss their efforts to uncover and preserve the contributions of these women, and the renewed attention they have received since the film 'Oppenheimer' was released. They emphasize the importance of acknowledging their work and sharing their stories.
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Quick takeaways
- The book 'Their Day in the Sun' by Ruth Howes and Caroline Herzenberg sheds light on the often overlooked contributions of women to the Manhattan Project, challenging the notion that physics was not a woman's field.
- The tragic loss of valuable documents and interviews related to 'Their Day in the Sun' emphasizes the importance of preserving historical records to ensure that the stories and contributions of women in science are not forgotten.
Deep dives
Rediscovering the Lost Women of the Manhattan Project
The podcast episode explores the efforts of Ruth Haus and Caroline Hertzenberg, physicists who wrote the book 'Their Day in the Sun' to shed light on the contributions of women to the Manhattan Project. Despite skepticism from their colleagues, Haus and Hertzenberg embarked on extensive research and interviews to uncover the stories of approximately 300 women who worked on the top secret project. They aimed to challenge the notion that physics was not a woman's field and to ensure that these women's contributions were not forgotten.
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