Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dimensions

The size of the Hiroshima atomic bomb was 9.84 ft / 3 mHiroshima Atomic Bomb (length) with a diameter of 28 in (700 mm). It weighed 8,900 lbs or about 4,000 kg. It was called Little Boy. The plane carrying it was called the Enola Gay.

Power and Impact of the Bomb

The bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 at a height of 31,000 ft (9,400 m). The time was 8:15 (JST). The actual detonation occurred at 1,900 ft (580 m). The bomb exploded with a force equal to 15 to 18 kilotons of TNT (about 54 to 75 t).

Compared with Fat Man (the bomb dropped on Nagasaki), Little Boy was less powerful. However the damage was more severe. The reason is Hiroshima is on a level terrain. The size of the Hiroshima atomic bomb and its power was such that between 66,000 to 69,000 people were killed instantly.

The fallout resulted in cancers and other illnesses, leading to more deaths. The estimate of the US Energy Department is that 100,000 died by December 1945. By 1950, over 200,000 had died from the lingering effects of the atomic bomb.

Blast Radius

The effect of the blast resulted in massive damage up to 1 mile (1.6 km) from ground zero. The radius for total destruction has been put at 2 miles or 3.2 km. The accompanying explosion sent shock waves that reduced edifices into shrapnel. The force was so great several houses and buildings imploded.

The Fireball

The size of the Hiroshima atomic bomb’s fireball was 1,200 ft (370 m) high. The temperature was estimated to be 7,200 F (3,980 C). Everything in the fireball’s path was obliterated. Humans were killed and cremated instantly, glass melted and sand was molted as well.

The heat was so intense shadows of people were embedded into buildings. In total, the Hiroshima fireball measured 2 miles (3.2 km) in diameter. This was very close to the damage blast radius size.

Radiation Effects

The radiation effects were more widespread than the blast itself. As the bomb exploded in the air, radiation was released throughout the city. Most of the people near ground zero perished but those who survived suffered the effects of radiation, leading to leukemia and various forms of cancer.

Structural Details

Although the size of the Hiroshima atomic bomb is well known, other facts remain classified. What is known is the bomb held 64 kg of uranium. Of this weight, 0.7% underwent nuclear fusion. 0.6g of this was changed into energy. The uranium was segregated into two parts, the projectile and target.

The projectile held 38.5 kg of the mass (60%). It had 9 uranium rings each with a diameter of 5.25 inches (158 mm). There was a 4 inch hole in the middle and pressed by canisters with 7 inch thick walls. The target had a diameter of 4 inches and was 7 inches long. It was held by a bolt with a 1 inch diameter.

The size of the Hiroshima atomic bomb and its impact not only ended World War II. It also marked the beginning of the Atomic Age.

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Dimensions of a Fresno Scraper

Dimensions of a Fresno Scraper

Since its invention in 1882, various Fresno scraper sizes have emerged. However, the one invented by James Porteous came with a front board measuring 8 feet wide by 2 feet high and fitted with metal cutting edge.

Porteous’ design also had a short end board. There was also a tailboard where the operator would stand. Dirt was hauled by folding the front board. The hauled dirt would be stored by the end boards.

History

Porteous invented the scraper because he saw how the Central San Joaquin Valley depended on irrigation. As Porteous worked on his design, he revised it numerous times.

He even exchanged ideas with Abijah McCall, Frank Dusy and William Deidrick. Those three inventors were designing their own scrapers, but Porteous bought the rights to all their designs. Thus Porteous got the sole patent for
the Fresno Scraper.

From 1884 to 1910, several Fresno scrapers were created at the Fresno Agricultural Works. The scraper would be used on road and railroad grading, construction, land leveling and agriculture. The scraper also played a role in the building of the Panama Canal. It would also be used during World War I. Eventually the design concept would spread and influence other earth moving equipment.

Design and Usage

While the Fresno scraper size would change, its basic design remained the same. The device laid the foundation for the contemporary earth moving scrapers. The Fresno scraper was notable for being able to move and scrape soil. It could also discharge the soil at a specified depth. It meant the volume that could be handled quadrupled.

The blade would gather the soil. It would run on a bowl that could be modified to change the bucket angle to the ground. This allowed the scraper to deposit dirt to low areas. The concept revolutionized the industry. Such was the impact that it influenced the design of modern earth movers.

Other Information

Porteous got Patent No. 261,759 for his invention, which was called the dirt scraper. It later became known as the Fresno scraper after Fresno, Los Angeles, the city where Porteous invented it. To this day the shop that Porteous created is still running.

Whatever the differences in Fresno scraper sizes are, one thing is certain: it is one of the most vital civil engineering and agricultural tools ever made. In 1991, the importance of the Fresno scraper was recognized when it was enshrined as an International Historic Engineering Landmark.