Description:

Atomic Bomb
Los Alamos, NM, ca. 1943-45
Tool That Built the Atomic Bomb! Used by Oppenheimer's Foreman at Los Alamos During the Manhattan Project With Signed Tibbets & Caron Mushroom Cloud Photograph! Ex. Gus Schultz
Relic

Universal Divider and Beam Compass, Los Alamos, New Mexico, circa 1943-1945, used in the construction of the atomic bomb by Gus Schultz, foreman of the drafting room and machine shop at Los Alamos during the Manhattan Project. Schultz was a key member of J. Robert Oppenheimer's team, earning high praise from Oppenheimer himself, who wrote: "The laboratory has leaned very heavily on you, and there have been times when your shops have stood between us and failure - many such times. I want you to know that all of us appreciate the skill, judgment, and magnificent devotion that you brought to this work, and that none of us is so foolish as to think we could have done it without you." This tool, a Universal Divider and Beam Compass, could have played a vital role in the hands of a foreman on Oppenheimer's team at Los Alamos, where precision was paramount in building the atomic bomb. Used to scribe exact circles, transfer critical measurements, and align components with pinpoint accuracy, it would have been indispensable in the fabrication of explosive lenses, initiator housings, or spherical casings. In a setting where theoretical physics met practical engineering, this instrument helped ensure that each part of the bomb's intricate design was executed to exacting standards, where even the slightest deviation could lead to failure. It is mounted in a recessed section of a gray matting beneath an iconic photograph of a mushroom cloud signed by George Caron and Paul Tibbets. The tool itself measures 4.5" x 4" and the photograph measures 7.5" x 9.5", all within the mat measuring 12.5" x 21".

A provenance packet accompanies this lot, and includes a copy of the Oppenheimer letter mentioned above, an additional letter from Oppenheimer, a diary entry written by Schultz's wife about the bombs dropped at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and a copy of Schultz's Los Alamos ID card.

The construction of the atomic bomb demanded meticulous precision, relying on specialized tools crafted for exact measurements. This tool originates from the collection of Gus Schultz, who served as the foreman of the drafting room and machine shop at Los Alamos during the Manhattan Project. In this role, Schultz oversaw the production of precision components essential to the development of the first atomic bombs. The machine shop fabricated intricate parts, including components for the bomb's core, explosive lenses, and other critical elements, all crafted to meet exacting specifications to ensure their functionality.

One remarkable byproduct of this monumental effort known as The Manhattan Project is Trinitite, a unique material formed in large quantities during the first atomic blast and frequently seen at auction. However, after extensive research and a thorough review of past auction records, we believe that a tool used in the actual construction of the bomb has not surfaced on the market - until now. The tool we are offering, with its exquisite provenance, represents an unprecedented artifact - a tangible link to one of history's most transformative events, The Atomic Bomb.

In the laboratory at Los Alamos, New Mexico, precise calculations and months of experimentation were essential to achieving the perfect size and shape for the first atomic weapons, a monumental feat in the Manhattan Project. Established in 1942 on the Pajarito Plateau, this top-secret location transformed from a serene area of Ancestral Pueblo settlements and homesteads into a bustling scientific hub known as Project Y. Security was paramount, as the plateau's natural isolation allowed brilliant minds, led by J. Robert Oppenheimer, to develop "The Gadget," "Little Boy," and "Fat Man." Existing structures from the Los Alamos Ranch School expedited the site's conversion into a top-secret city nicknamed "The Hill," where hurriedly built laboratories and housing accommodated scientists and their families. Two bomb designs emerged from their work: the gun method, used for uranium-based "Little Boy," and the implosion method, reliant on plutonium for "Fat Man." The implosion design, requiring symmetrical shockwaves to compress plutonium, underwent its critical test in July 1945 with "The Gadget" at the Trinity Test site, ushering in the atomic age.

Shortly after, the weapons developed at Los Alamos would devastate Hiroshima and Nagasaki, forcing Japan's surrender and ending World War II, while forever altering the course of history and the ethical discourse surrounding scientific advancements.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 12.5" x 21"
  • Medium: Relic

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August 27, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
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University Archives

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