Kirby Whitham had a long and notable career as a chemical engineer but when the flicker of lights glowed in four globes at Experiment Breeder Reactor I on the afternoon of December 20, 1951, it forever cemented his mark in his chosen fields. An ANL team headed by Zinn had brought the historic reactor to criticality (a controlled, self-sustained chain reaction with a core) on August 24. The scientists were embarking on a new field and they were enthralled at what was happening. They continued to toil on low-power operations while they studied their new creation. Then on that historic day four months later, the reactor started up and gradually increased over several hours. At 1:23 p.m., the first electricity ever generated from nuclear heat began flowing from the reactor's turbine generator.
Whitham was one of the pioneers and his name is one of sixteen chalked on the wall of the generator room to commemorate the historic occasion. "We were all exuberant but we also were too busy with the equipment to give it much thought," recalled Whitham, who was retired in Idaho Falls. "I know it was in the late afternoon and we were so happy to demonstrate that we could generate electricity." It wasn't until that evening the elated scientists took time out to celebrate in a small way. "I know we had some champagne but we didn't drink much. You must remember that this was classified," he said. Dr. Zinn then announced the achievement to Argonne's main office at Chicago.
The scientists lived in a state of euphoria for some time but they were too busy to pursue their success in a project that was the forerunner to the worldwide nuclear electricity of today. Whitham laughingly recalled that day, adding, "Dr. Zinn probably saw the significance more than we did, but we were busy trying to get the turbine going and tending to other equipment."
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