Bikini Atomic Lab (silent, late 1940s)

This footage from the late 1940s captures a range of scientific research activities on an island in the Pacific Ocean, focusing on environmental studies in the aftermath of nuclear testing. Scenes include picturesque views of the island’s natural beauty, such as coconut palms, coral reefs, and lagoons, contrasted with military and research operations. Researchers are shown collecting samples from land and sea, examining the effects of radioactivity using Geiger counters, and conducting marine biology studies. Detailed laboratory work is highlighted, from the dissection of marine life to the preparation of radiation photographs. The footage offers a glimpse into the scientific efforts to understand the impact of nuclear testing on the environment and marine ecosystems, with scenes of both field research on the island and meticulous laboratory work on board ships and in university labs.

We digitized and uploaded this film from the A/V Geeks 16mm Archive. Email us at footage@avgeeks.com if you have questions about the footage and are interested in using it in your project.