Loughborough Branch: First Waltz - building Blue Danube, Britain's first atomic bomb

Dr Jonathan Aylen, Honorary Senior Research Fellow at Manchester Institute of Innovation, presents an in-depth account of the development and engineering of Blue Danube – Britain's first atomic bomb, which entered service with the RAF during the Cold War.

This lively and surprising lecture pieces together how Britain's nuclear deterrent was constructed through pragmatic engineering solutions to novel problems. The presentation reveals the real-world challenges faced during development, including difficulties in shaping conventional high explosives and ensuring the free-fall bomb could actually leave the aircraft. Notably, Britain's nuclear posture was at one stage threatened by a shortage of clockwork components.

The engineering effort drew on an unexpected coalition of British manufacturers: a maker of railway tank engines in Leeds, a firm producing hot water bottles in Barnsley, and various obliging engineering firms in Southern England. This account is based on extensive research into Cold War technologies and demonstrates how Britain's early atomic bombs were constructed using innovative industrial solutions.

Dr Aylen's expertise spans research on Cold War technologies, innovations in rolling mill technology, revolutionary computer applications at British Rail, and guided missile design. He is a visiting researcher at the University of Manchester and a recent President of the Newcomen Society.

RAeS Members, Associated Branch Members, and students attend free of charge. All other attendees are encouraged to make a donation of £3.