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“Little Boy” used uranium-235 and had a slim, 10-foot design, long like a car but thin and “cute.” In contrast, “Fat Man” was a much wider, heavier plutonium-based bomb
Atomic bombs built during World War II were given specific names, referencing their design or project. (AI Generated/News18 Hindi)
On August 6, 1945, during the Second World War, the atomic bomb was first dropped on Hiroshima. Two days later, another bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, resulting in horrific devastation. Thousands of people died, and houses were destroyed, leaving everything scorched. The two atomic bombs used by America were named “Little Boy” and “Fat Man.” The naming of these bombs has intrigued many over the years.
Name And Its Significance
“Little Boy” was a uranium-235 based bomb, with a relatively simple and thin design. It measured about 10 feet long and 28 inches in diameter, making it similar in length to a car but extremely thin. It was considered small and “cute” compared to other designs. In contrast, “Fat Man” was much wider and heavier.
This plutonium-239 based atomic bomb had a more complex and heavier design than “Little Boy.” It was round and wide, about 5 feet in diameter and 10.6 feet long, weighing approximately 10,300 pounds.
The Tradition Of Using Codenames
Codenames for weapons were commonly used in the Manhattan Project to maintain secrecy. Names like “Little Boy” and “Fat Man” were simple, non-technical, and easy to remember, serving more for informal conversation among scientists than for any deep philosophical or military meaning.
Some historians believe that the name “Little Boy” may have been inspired by the popular culture or humour of the time, such as characters from cartoons or movies, like the 1942 film “The Thin Man.”
Were These Names Meant To Be A Joke?
Scientists working on the Manhattan Project, including Robert Oppenheimer and his colleagues, often used humour to lighten their stressful work. The naming of these bombs reflects the light-hearted atmosphere amidst their confidential tasks. This was likely not a deeply symbolic name, but rather a practical, light-hearted codename, a common practice among scientists of the time.
Some historians credit Robert Serber, a leading physicist in the Manhattan Project and close associate of Oppenheimer, with naming the bombs.
Naming Other Bombs And Tests
The US continued to name other bombs interestingly. Some bombs based on the design of “Fat Man” were called “Roundfish” and “Helda.” The Soviet Union named its largest bomb “Tsar Bomba,” reflecting the tradition of “Tsars” in Russian history.
Do All Bombs Have Names?
Atomic bombs built during World War II were given specific names, referencing their design or project. Modern nuclear weapons typically use specific codenames or model numbers (e.g., B61, W88, AGM-114 Hellfire) based on technical or military references, rather than personal or humorous names. Examples include B61, a US nuclear bomb with various versions, and MOAB, “Mother of All Bombs” (GBU-43/B), a powerful non-nuclear bomb named to signify its enormous power.
Did The US Build Only Two Atomic Bombs?
The US America had prepared the two bombs dropped on Japan in 1945, initially planning to use only these two. Historical documents indicate that America did not have a third bomb ready immediately, but the production of more bombs continued under the Manhattan Project. Cores for additional plutonium bombs were being prepared at the Los Alamos Laboratory, with estimations that another bomb could be ready by the end of August 1945 (around August 19).
The US Army considered using more bombs if Japan did not surrender after the first two, with some documents suggesting additional bombs could be ready by September and October 1945 for use on other Japanese cities or strategic targets.
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