The Only Photographer Inside the Manhattan Project

The Only Photographer Inside the Manhattan Project

July 17, 2026 · 38 min

About this episode

This episode features Richard Cook discussing the story of photographer Ed Westcott and his unique role in documenting the Manhattan Project.

On this episode of Our American Stories, in 1943, the U.S. government transformed farmland outside Oak Ridge, Tennessee, into a top-secret city of 75,000 people racing to build the atomic bomb before Nazi Germany. Cameras were forbidden, except for one. Richard Cook, author of  Ignored Heroes of World War II: The Manhattan Project Workers of Oak Ridge, Tennessee , shares the remarkable story of photographer Ed Westcott, whose images became the definitive visual record of America's greatest wartime secret. Support the show ( https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate) Support the show: https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Guest: Richard Cook

Topics covered

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: U.S. government

Books & works: Ignored Heroes of World War II: The Manhattan Project Workers of Oak Ridge, Tennessee

Places: Oak Ridge, Tennessee

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