Despite the fact that radium treatments (nuclear radiation) for cancers started as early as 1904, Wikipedia defines the start of the nuclear or atomic age as being the detonation of the first nuclear weapon in July, 1945.
The continued association of the word “nuclear” with weapons and destruction has been one of the barriers to the wider acceptance of nuclear technology in society. One of the more common descriptions of erratic behaviour by someone or some organization is to describe them as having “gone nuclear”. This is intended to convey that they have adopted a destructive mode.
Those of us in the industry prefer that to “go nuclear” means that someone has seen the light and has decided to apply nuclear technology for the production of clean energy or the many uses in medical treatments and diagnostics.
At Chalk River, prior to the events normally referred to as “9/11” a group of dedicated guides and lecturers worked diligently to spread the good word about the important peaceful uses of nuclear. Summer visits to the Public Information Center (PIC) in the mid 1980s typically saw 10,000 visitors over the three summer months the centre was open. In addition, countless school groups, with visits both to parts of the laboratories and to the PIC introduced people to the peaceful side of nuclear. Security concerns following the 9/11 events in the USA quickly shut down this important educational effort.
The consummate tour guide and nuclear educator at Chalk River was Frank Finley, who joined AECL in 1957. He worked in Production Planning and Nuclear Materials Control for more than a decade before his talents in Public Affairs were recognized. He became the ultimate educator and pied piper for nuclear technology over the next several decades. He had the extraordinary ability to interact and explain his case for all things nuclear to both young students and adults.
Frank extended his message all across Canada to service clubs and schools. The 1989 September of the AECL publication, ASCENT, reported “Last year Frank relayed his message to more than 14 000 people beyond the PIC, where he often found the stamina to perform two or three presentations a day”.
Two of the props Frank used in his talks were a single element from a fuel bundle and a complete, replica, Pickering-reactor fuel bundle. In June 2022, Ann Marie Finley-Spears, Frank’s daughter, donated these two valuable artifacts to Canada’s Nuclear Heritage Museum. The Museum is proud to display them and welcomes everyone to look for them on your next visit. We have a number of guides to explain our nuclear technology collection to you but regret that our capabilities may not always be equal to those of Frank.
