Cyclotron Timeline

This timeline includes events and activities related to the Cyclotron Facility at the NASA Lewis Research Center.

A timeline of the center’s history is available at NASA Glenn’s Historical Timeline.

1919 

• Ernest Rutherford discovered natural atomic reactions.

1932 

• Ernest Lawrence operated the first cyclotron built at U.C. Berkeley.

1942 

• Manhattan Project established to design atomic weapon.

1945 

• Atomic bombs demonstrate the power of nuclear fission.
• NACA researchers express interest in nuclear powered aircraft.
• General Electric began studying cyclotron design.

1946

• Lewis researchers initiate nuclear propulsion and heat transfer studies.
• Nuclear Energy for the Propulsion of Aircraft (NEPA) instituted.
• Eugene Wigner theorizes that radiation displaces of atoms in solids.
• First application of Iodine-131 to treat thyroid disease.

1947 

• Lewis submits requests to study effect of radiation on materials.
• Atomic Energy Commission established to control nuclear research and development.
• The NACA requests bids for the construction of a cyclotron.

1948 

• The NACA accepts General Electric bid to build and install a cyclotron.

1949 

• Construction of the Cyclotron and Materials and Stresses Building begins.

1951  

• The Air Force and the AEC form Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion (ANP) program.

1953 

• President Dwight Eisenhower gives Atoms for Peace address.

1954 

• The NACA and General Electric haggle over expectations for the cyclotron.
• Design of the Plum Brook Reactor begins.

1955

• Cyclotron fails to meet specifications during performance test.
• James Blue is hired to supervise Cyclotron activities.

1956 

• General Electric agrees to add Target Room and focusing equipment.
• Eugene Wigner publishes “The Effects of Radiation on Solids.

1957 

• The Lewis cyclotron begins operation.
• Formation of Nuclear Reactor Division, including Radiation Physics Branch.

1958 

• The NACA becomes part of the new NASA space agency.

1961 

• The ANP nuclear aircraft program is cancelled.
• Nuclear Engine for Rocket Vehicle Application (NERVA) program initiated.

1965 

• Preliminary engineering report for the modification of cyclotron.

1966 

• Program initiated for scattering of 600 MeV protons from light nuclei.

1968 

• NASA issues contracts for the upgrade of the Cyclotron.

1970 

• Final runs of the original 60-inch-diameter cyclotron.

1973

• New 69-inch diameter cyclotron begins operation.
• NASA cancels nuclear propulsion and power programs.

1975 

• Agreement signed with Cleveland Clinic for Neutron Therapy Program.

1976 

• Jim Blue received R&D 100 Award for his Cyclotron Target for Continuous Production.

1977 

• Lewis Cyclotron neutrons administered to the first patients.

1981

• National Cancer Institute and Clinic take over operation of the cyclotron.

1990 

• Cleveland Clinic makes final use of the cyclotron.

1991 

• Lewis issues plan to mothball the Cyclotron Facility.

1994 

• Mothballing of the Cyclotron Facility is completed.

1998 

• Center begins process of decommissioning the Plum Brook Reactor.

2003 

• NASA begins efforts to remove unused facilities at all of its centers.

2008 

• NASA initiates plans to decommission the Cyclotron.

2010 

• A Site Characterization Report is issued.

2015 

• Environmental Assessment Report is issued for the Cyclotron.

2017 

• Cyclotron accelerator is removed from the Cyclotron Facility.

2018 

• Cyclotron Facility is demolished.