Author: Marni Walter

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Feature Article on the Westinghouse Atom Smasher in Western PA History

  By Chalfant PA, Forest Hills PA, Publications, Westinghouse atom smasher, Westinghouse Research Labs history

Update! A PDF / online version of this article is available here!  https://journals.psu.edu/wph/article/view/60195

Check out the Fall 2015 issue of Western Pennsylvania History, the magazine of the Heinz History Center!

W PA History cover

I’m very happy to say that my article, “An Unlikely Atomic Landscape: Forest Hills and the Westinghouse Atom Smasher,” was recently published! AND they used my favorite photo on the cover, which was a fantastic surprise as the issue went into production.

When I started digging into archival atom smasher info, I thought I’d find some news stories about people protesting the construction of this huge thing, of mysterious scientific purpose, in their neighborhood. Instead I found this photo. These people stand in a moment in time so different than today. The image inspired me to think more about the community around the atom smasher and why this place was significant beyond how fast the machine could accelerate particles. Read all about it in the magazine!

This photo (courtesy Heinz History Center Detre L&A) might be from one of the community day events that Westinghouse often held, but the caption in the archives only gives a date of about 1940. If anyone out there has more info about it, or family memories or stories from this time, I hope to hear from you!

Many thanks to the editors of Western Pennsylvania History, and their designers and printers, who produce this beautiful magazine.

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Before / After: Atom Smasher Photos

  By Artifacts Details Markers, Forest Hills PA, Westinghouse atom smasher, Westinghouse Research Labs history
Westinghouse atom smasher, August 2013. © Marni Blake Walter.

Westinghouse atom smasher, 2013. © MB Walter.

Noting the upcoming anniversary of the day the Westinghouse atom smasher was torn down (20 January 2015), below are links to two sets of photos I’ve taken, before and after.

Photos Before / August 2013: https://flic.kr/s/aHsjJRMBMd

Back in August 2013, I had the great fortune to tour the atom smasher up close with Mr. Barry Cassidy (who at the time was managing what we thought would be an exciting preservation/reuse project) and others in preservation and education. There was a lot of enthusiasm for all the possibilities in STEM education, and community and science history, that the atom smasher could offer, and admiration for this offbeat landmark. (And yes for its being a really cool relic to have in your neighborhood… How many people can say they have an ancient atom smasher in their town?!*)

Photos After / April and July 2015: https://flic.kr/s/aHskpXWkvW

Despite all that enthusiasm, we are faced with a different reality since 2015. During 2015 I took a few sets of updated photos in the process or aftermath of site demolition. As a neighbor who saw me there said, better get all the photos you can now…

Westinghouse atom smasher, July 2015. © Marni Blake Walter.

Westinghouse atom smasher detail, 2015. © MB Walter.

I like to document change and record the artifacts around us, so I check on the site whenever I get the chance. Obviously change over the last two years has been dramatic here. I hope readers will find these views of current conditions useful.

For anyone not familiar with Westinghouse in Forest Hills, the photos show what remains of the atom smasher—the very origin of Westinghouse Nuclear—and the pioneering Westinghouse Research Laboratories.

* Ps. If you happen to be someone who does live near another old atom smasher, please leave a comment— we’d love to hear from you too!

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In Remembrance of Chalfant Historian Michael Connors

  By Chalfant PA, Commentary, Current events, Westinghouse atom smasher

Chalfant recently lost a wonderful writer and historic preservation advocate, Michael Connors. Although I did not know him personally, I was sorry to miss the chance to let him know how much I enjoyed his essay about the atom smasher that appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Here is the link to it– any readers from the area will appreciate the memories here!

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/portfolio/2015/07/29/Local-Dispatch-Downed-atom-smasher-supported-Chalfant-so-long/stories/201501010236

Also here’s a link to this article about him, which in turn has links to some of his articles. Read some, you will enjoy them and learn something new too!

http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/brian-oneill/2015/10/25/Brian-O-Neill-To-Pittsburgh-historian-Michael-Connors-who-knew-how-to-both-live-and-die/stories/201510250135

He and his writing and enthusiasm for local history will be missed.

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KDKA Broadcasting Today from Westinghouse Headquarters

  By Current events

Today KDKA radio is broadcasting from the Westinghouse Headquarters in Cranberry, PA.

On “The Inside Story with Marty Griffin,” they are talking about the current facilities and will also talk about the company’s history and significance. On air now, Danny Roderick, President and CEO of Westinghouse.

Here’s a link to listen live: http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/station/newsradio-1020-kdka/