Buildings of the Chicago University, Chicago. Metallurgical Laboratory in the university campus. Eckhart Hall in the foreground. Ryerson Hall Physical Laboratory in the background. A man comes out from the entrance to Ekhart Hall. Lettering 'Eckhart Hall' above the entrance.
Men walking towards the West Stands of Stagg Field, where the Institute for the Study of Metals, occupies the southern half of the abandoned stands. To the North, where the center of the building protrudes toward Ellis Avenue, is the squash court area in which the famous Chicago Pile number 1 was built, and achieved controlled, sustained nuclear fission, on December 2, 1942. Scene shifts to different area where a sign reads: "5655, Institute for the Study of Metals, Delivery Entrance." Scene shifts again, to Dr. Enrico Fermi and two assistants in front of a facsimile of the Chicago Pile 1. One assistant holds a simulated "control rod" that he "withdraws" from from the pile, while Dr. Fermi glances at a geiger counter and makes notes in a book. This is repeated for several takes, including one taken much closer. Dr.Fermi and his assistant smile as they take these actions. The second assistant, sits at a desk, where a slide rule is visible, and makes notes in a book. A large geiger counter is seen with lights flashing. Above the lights the counter is labeled "Interpolation," and the numbers: 1,2,4,16, and 32 appear above the lights, respectively. Dr. Fermi is then seen in another part of the lab, where he is making adjustments on some unseen device and annotating a book. Piping of various sizes is seen in background. He repeats these actions a number of times for the camera.
New York banker Alexander Sachs visits the White House in Washington DC. A Cadillaccar pulls up at the White House. Mr. Alexander Sachs leaves the car and enters the White house. Mr. Sachs enters the reception room of the White House, where Chief White House Usher, .Howell G. Crim greets him. (Note: these actions are repeated a number of times in this sequence, from different camera angles and perspectives.)
The K-25 Plant (Carbide and Carbon Chemical Corporation) area in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Buildings at the plant. Smoke rises from a train which passes through the area. The Power House (K-25). A police car drives past in the foreground. A board reads 'safety first always and more power to you'. A restricted area and other information written on a sign board.
The Y-12 Electro Magnetic Plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. A board reads 'Tennessee Eastman Corporation', ' Employment Office' and other information. Vehicles drive past on a road. Workers leave the plant after the day's work. People walk and are searched by a guard. The workers sit in a bus. Buses leave a parking area.
The X-10 Plant of Monsanto Chemical Company in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Vehicles drive towards the plant. A parking area of the plant. A car comes at the entrance gate of the plant. A guard at the gate. People leave from the exit gate of the plant. A sign of Monsanto Chemical Company. A guard enters. Clinton Laboratories of the plant. A sign reads 'Prohibited Area'. Smoke stacks in the background. Important information on a board.