The Atom and industry

Duration: 11 min.

Year Published: 1952

Creator: Encyclopedia Brittanica

Format: 16mm

Color: B&W

Sound: sound

Description: Made at the dawn of the nuclear age, "The Atom and Industry" is a highly optimistic 1952 Encyclopedia Brittanica educational film. It was produced by William Everote with assistance by the Division of Nuclear Science at the University of Chicago. The film demonstrates how radioisotopes are providing new techniques of measurement and quality control in a wide variety of industries. Illustrates the following; radio-active “tagging” or identification of batches of crude oil in the petroleum industry; measurement of wear in petrol engines by using radio-active piston rings; measurement and control of thickness of materials produced in sheet form; testing for flaws in casting. This educational film highlights the emerging role of atomic radiation and radioisotopes in mid-20th-century industry, showcasing their potential to revolutionize manufacturing, quality control, and power generation. It explains how radioisotopes, produced in nuclear reactors, are used in fields like petroleum and automotive engineering to tag oil batches, measure engine wear, and ensure product consistency. Industries such as paper production and metal casting also benefit from radiation-based tools to monitor thickness and detect flaws. Despite initial worker concerns, the film reassures viewers that radiation is safe when proper precautions are taken. It concludes with a forward-looking vision where atomic energy could one day replace traditional power sources, underlining the atom’s promise to power the future of industry. 00:00: Atomic radiation is being used to improve industrial production, reduce costs, and achieve new research breakthroughs. Workers use safety equipment like meters, Geiger counters and film badges to protect themselves from radiation exposure. 1:15: Workers express concern about radiation, but it's reassured that with proper precautions, it's safe. Atomic radiation is portrayed as a permanent and beneficial part of industrial progress. 2:03: Radioactive atoms, or radioisotopes, are produced in nuclear reactors and can be used to solve practical industrial problems. Uranium in reactors is safely controlled to produce elements like cobalt, iron, and strontium. 2:49: One example is tagging crude oil in the petroleum industry using radioisotopes. This allows for efficient tracking of oil batches through pipelines using radiation detectors, improving accuracy and saving time. 4:45:The automotive industry uses radioisotopes like radioactive iron in piston rings to measure engine wear. Radioactive particles worn off into engine oil can be precisely measured, giving engineers accurate wear data. 6:34: Paper mills use radioisotopes like strontium to measure the thickness of paper. Radiation particles that pass through the paper are detected, allowing for automatic adjustments and quality control. 7:36: Radioisotopes like cobalt are also used for industrial radiography to detect flaws in metal castings. Gamma rays expose X-ray film, revealing imperfections as darker areas—similar to how X-rays work in medicine. 9:14: Beyond current applications, the film suggests atomic energy may eventually replace traditional power sources. The heat from uranium disintegration could produce steam to generate electricity. 10:07: The film closes by emphasizing the growing impact of radioisotopes in tracing, measuring, and controlling industrial processes—and hints at a future where atomic energy powers machinery across industries.

Complete Record: Demonstrates how radio-isotopes are providing new techniques of measurement and quality control in a wide variety of industries. Illustrates the following; radio-active “tagging” or identification of batches of crude oil in the petroleum industry; measurement of wear in petrol engines by using radio-active piston rings; measurement and control of thickness of materials produced in sheet form; testing for flaws in casting.

Online Copy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hWaiS6mgL3Q

Metadata Source:YouTube