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Cold War Bomb Shelters. Atomic Nightmares Create Survival Fantasies. Japan: Atomic Effects. With the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the world became aware of the destructive power and effects of nuclear war
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Cold War Bomb Shelters Atomic Nightmares Create Survival Fantasies
Japan: Atomic Effects • With the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the world became aware of the destructive power and effects of nuclear war • By the early 1950’s most Americans had a growing, and graphic, understanding of atomic weapons and the dangers of radiation
More Unsettling Images • The U.S. continued atomic tests and developed the even more destructive hydrogen bomb (H-bomb) • Americans were exposed to images of these tests and statistics such as blast radius damage and wind patterns that would spread radioactive fallout
Effects of Nuclear Explosion http://www.nv.doe.gov/library/films/film.aspx?ID=20 Click the hyperlink above to view atomic test video showing effects of nuclear explosions seen in 1953 and 1955 tests.
Nuclear World Destruction • By the 1950’s both superpowers (USSR and USA) had nuclear weapons and, by the 1960’s, delivery systems to send them across continents and oceans • For the first time, complete world annihilation became a real possibility
A Feeling of Safety • Elaborate systems were developed to give warning before a nuclear attack • Some hoped to survive by protecting themselves, and their families, by creating protective shelters to survive the explosion and effects of radiation
Civil Defense Instructions: Nuclear Attack Warnings and Information
Civil Defense Propaganda Spreads Fear and Paranoia • U.S. Civil Defense used ads to try to prepare the public for possible attack and use of shelters • School children routinely practiced “duck and cover” drills where desks would supposedly help provide protection
Duck and Cover Civil Defense Film http://www.archive.org/details/gov.ntis.ava11109vnb1 Click the hyperlink above to view classic 1950’s civil defense film about “duck and cover” protection from nuclear attack.
Duck and Cover Instructions Click above to hear audio of Civil Defense information on “Duck and Cover” protection.
Bunker Mentality • Governments, and individuals, searched for a feeling of safety and control • Bomb shelters seemed to offer the possibility of surviving a nuclear war • Public and private bomb shelters were built throughout the Cold War
Public Shelters • U.S. Civil Defense began assigning basements of public buildings as bomb shelters • Some of these shelters were stockpiled with food, water, medicine, etc. • There was never enough shelter space, or supplies, for all citizens
Shelter in the basement of the courthouse in Ottawa, IL Shelter in the basement of the Roxy Theatre in Ottawa, IL
Civil Defense Instructions: What to Bring to a Public Bomb Shelter
Public/Private Bomb Shelters • When the Randhurst Mall was built in the early 1960’s, they added a bomb shelter in the basement • It was supposed to be able to protect all the residents of Mt. Prospect, IL from nuclear attack
Private Shelters • To protect their families, some Americans built bomb shelters in their homes • Many were built in secret to prevent neighbors from trying to come in during attacks • It is estimated that more than 1500 private shelters were built during the Cold War
Shelter Construction • To provide maximum protection, most shelters were built below ground with concrete blocks • Many were built below patios and driveways to provide extra protection • Some hid the construction from neighbors, claiming to be building swimming pools or remodeling their homes
Shelter Supplies • Public and private shelters were stocked for a minimum two-week supply of essentials • Water • Food • Sanitation facilities • Radiation meters • Medical supplies • Radios, books, games, etc.
Dosimeters to Measure a Person’s Cumulative Exposure to Radiation
Private Shelters in Rockford • It is estimated that less than a dozen private bomb shelters were built in Rockford • Most builders did not apply for permits or register their shelters with local or federal civil defense • Two of these Cold War era bomb shelters are known to exist today
Private Shelter off Rural St. • This small house looks like the rest on the block • But under the driveway is a secret bomb shelter • It was built in the 1950’s by the Richard McGaw family
Mrs. McGaw Explains Why They Built Their Bomb Shelter • “It was a scare at the time, you wanted to be one of the safe ones.” • “Everyone was made to feel that there would be an atomic war and since we had two little children we felt we should build one.” • “The neighbors laughed at us at the time and if they (the government) came out with something like that again, I would be like them.”
A door in the basement opens to the small entryway • 5 ft. high, 3 ½ ft. wide, and about 16 ft. long • The original foundation ends with the red floor • Entry to the shelter is on the left at the end of the passageway
Shelters had a sharp bend, or turn, to enter to protect the shelter from heat and radiation • The entry to the shelter on the left would be covered with an asbestos curtain to give further protection
The shelter has storage for supplies • The shelves on the right could also be used for children’s bunks • Equipped with an electrical light • Shelter was about 10 ft. wide, 8 ft. high, and 16 ft. long
The shelter and entry way are completely protected by thick concrete block, even over the entry way and ceiling of the shelter • The dirt and driveway above provided additional protection