Forest Hills in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Westinghouse Atom Smasher
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, September 11, 2011
1. Westinghouse Atom Smasher Marker
The worlds 1st industrial Van de Graaff generator was created by Westinghouse Research Labs in 1937 as an early experiment with atomic energy. The 5-story pear-shaped structure is located here. The company remained active in establishing US leadership in nuclear power.
Erected 2010 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.
Location. 40° 24.642′ N, 79° 50.535′ W. Marker is in Forest Hills, Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County. It is at the intersection of F Avenue and Avenue D, on the right when traveling east on F Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: East Pittsburgh PA 15112, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Pittsburgh. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Ohio River Valley, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Parkway Steps (approx. 0.3 miles away); John Dayton Rodgers VFW Post 6681 Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Pioneer Short-Wave Station (approx. half a mile away); Major A. M. Harper Post 181 Monument (approx. Ύ mile away);
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Westinghouse "Atom Smasher" Gets Historical Marker. Out and About In The 'Burgh" blog entry (2011) (Submitted on March 28, 2013, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
2. A smash in the old days, nuclear relic seeks savior. Space Watchtower website entry (2013) (Submitted on March 28, 2013, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
3. Developer seeks to preserve Westinghouse's first generation atom smasher. Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article (2013) (Submitted on March 28, 2013, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)
4. The Amazing Story of the Abandoned Westinghouse Atom Smasher in Pittsburgh. Uncovering PA website entry (2023):
"Located in a residential area of Forest Hills, the Westinghouse Atom Smasher is an iconic piece of the United States nuclear history. Today, however, it lies on its side, surrounded by piles of rubble composed of the building that once supported it." (Submitted on November 12, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed by Mike Wintermantel, September 11, 2011
2. Westinghouse Atom Smasher Marker
Atom Smasher is the silver, pear-shaped structure in background.
Photographed by Unknown, circa 1950
3. Westinghouse Atom Smasher
Atom Buster, Westinghouse Research Lab, East Pittsburgh, ca. 1950
Ellis Michaels, Nov 2012
via Uncovering PA, 2023
4. Westinghouse Atom Smasher
So much for preservation.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 11, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,649 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 11, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on January 16, 2016, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on November 12, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
