Timeline
This timeline includes events and activities related to NASA Glenn Research Center’s former Cyclotron Facility.
NASA Glenn Research Center
Cyclotron Facility
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.
Control panel in the Cyclotron Facility control room (10/11/1961).
NASA/PAUL RIEDEL
Entrance to the Lewis Research Center’s Materials & Stresses Building shortly after its construction (9/8/1949).
NASA
Delivery of the yoke for the cyclotron to NACA’s Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory in June 1949.
NASA
Entrance to the Vault Room in the Cyclotron Building.
NASA
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.
Researcher Jim Blue and a colleague operate the Zero Power Reactor at Lewis Research Center in 1958.
NASA/PAUL RIEDEL
The Lewis Research Center’s cyclotron producing a beam to irradiate a crystal in July 1963.
NASA/Paul Riedel
NASA researcher researcher William Roberts at the Cyclotron Facility.
BNASA
Operators of the Lewis Research Center’s cyclotron in the control room.
NASA
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.
Cleveland Clinic representatives tour the Cyclotron Facility at Lewis Research Center in November 1979.
NASA
A Cleveland Clinic nurse delivers neutron therapy to a cancer patient in the Cyclotron Facility (1/11/1978).
NASA/DONALD HUEBLER
Lab room that supported the Cyclotron Facility (1991).
NASA/QUENTIN SCHWINN
The site of the former Cyclotron Facility at Glenn Research Center after its 2018 demolition.
NASA
NASA History
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Return to the Cyclotron Facility main page to find additional information on the facility and its history.
Learn More
The cyclotron at NASA Lewis Research Center irradiates a crystal in 1963.
NASA/Bill Bowles
Glenn History and Mitigation
Glenn Historic Facilities
This collection of webpages documents some of the historic facilities formerly located at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio.
Glenn Historic Preservation
NASA Glenn has worked with the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office to mitigate the loss of some of its historic facilities.
Glenn History Office
The NASA Glenn History Office documents the research, facilities, and people who have contributed to the center’s extensive history and manages the Glenn History Collection.