''A Is for Atom'' (1953) is a 14-minute
promotional animated short
documentary film created by John Sutherland and sponsored by
General Electric (GE). The short documentary, which is now in the
public domain, explains what an
atom is, how
nuclear energy
Nuclear energy may refer to:
*Nuclear power, the use of sustained nuclear fission or nuclear fusion to generate heat and electricity
* Nuclear binding energy, the energy needed to fuse or split a nucleus of an atom
*Nuclear potential energy
...
is released from certain kinds of atoms, the peacetime uses of
nuclear power, and the by-products of
nuclear fission
Nuclear fission is a reaction in which the nucleus of an atom splits into two or more smaller nuclei. The fission process often produces gamma photons, and releases a very large amount of energy even by the energetic standards of radio ...
. The film is Sutherland's most-decorated film, having won numerous honors at film festivals.
The film also received a theatrical release, opening at the Pantages and Hillstreet Theatres in Los Angeles on July 2, 1953. The distributor was Al O. Bondy, who made the short available for free.
[''Boxoffice Barometer'', Jan. 30, 1954, pg. 145]
Synopsis
A narrator is relating what is an atom and how atomic energy can be harnessed by man to produce "limitless" energy. Dr. Atom (a caricature with an atom for a head) then explains the similarities between the
solar system and
atomic structure. He then goes on to relate how the atom is made up of
protons,
neutrons
The neutron is a subatomic particle, symbol or , which has a neutral (not positive or negative) charge, and a mass slightly greater than that of a proton. Protons and neutrons constitute the nuclei of atoms. Since protons and neutrons behave ...
, and
electrons. After this, the narrator explains how there are more than
90 elements with many possible
isotopes for each.
The history of atomic energy is then over viewed beginning with the discovery of
artificial transmutation. This then led to the discovery of nuclear fission and eventually
nuclear weapons
A nuclear weapon is an explosive device that derives its destructive force from nuclear reactions, either fission (fission bomb) or a combination of fission and fusion reactions (thermonuclear bomb), producing a nuclear explosion. Both bomb ...
and
nuclear energy
Nuclear energy may refer to:
*Nuclear power, the use of sustained nuclear fission or nuclear fusion to generate heat and electricity
* Nuclear binding energy, the energy needed to fuse or split a nucleus of an atom
*Nuclear potential energy
...
using the chain reaction of radioactive material. The Oakridge uranium factory is then discussed as well as the first
nuclear reactor and the first uses of
plutonium. The future of fantastical
nuclear power plants
A nuclear power plant (NPP) is a thermal power station in which the heat source is a nuclear reactor. As is typical of thermal power stations, heat is used to generate steam that drives a steam turbine connected to a generator that produces elec ...
is then explained. The short ends on the uses of
radio isotopes
A radionuclide (radioactive nuclide, radioisotope or radioactive isotope) is a nuclide that has excess nuclear energy, making it unstable. This excess energy can be used in one of three ways: emitted from the nucleus as gamma radiation; transferr ...
in
medicine and
agriculture.
The film includes a blue "nuclear giant" character, very similar to
Dr. Manhattan
Doctor Manhattan (Dr. Jonathan Osterman), often shortened to Dr. Manhattan or simply Manhattan is a fictional character who appears in comics published by DC Comics. He debuted in the graphic novel limited series ''Watchmen''. Doctor Manhattan w ...
from the graphic novel ''
Watchmen''.
Re-release & update
''A is for Atom'' was re-released by General Electric in 1964. John Sutherland Studios was contracted by GE to modernize the film. Changes included tighter editing, new music, new narration (Bud Hiestand did the voice-over on the original) and a focus on nuclear power as opposed to
nuclear bombs.
See also
* ''
Destination Earth
''For the European Commission project, see Destination Earth (European Union)''
''Destination Earth'' is a 1956 promotional cartoon created by John Sutherland and funded by the American Petroleum Institute. The short explains the fundamental ...
''
* "
Our Friend the Atom
"Our Friend the Atom" is a 1957 episode of the television series ''Disneyland'' describing the benefits of nuclear power and hosted by Heinz Haber. It was part of the publicity campaign for peaceful uses of atomic energy, following Dwight D. Eise ...
"
* ''
Your Safety First
''Your Safety First'' was a 1956 promotional cartoon created by the Automobile Manufacturers of America. The 13-minute short film set in the year 2000 explains the history of the automobile and the improvements to comfort, performance, and safet ...
''
*
Atoms for Peace
References
External links
*
*
1953 short films
American animated short films
American animated documentary films
Sponsored films
Documentary films about nuclear technology
General Electric sponsorships
Films scored by Eugene Poddany
1950s animated short films
1950s American animated films
Articles containing video clips
1953 animated films
1950s English-language films
American short documentary films
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