Institute of Physics Tube Alloys

This is an evening public lecture exploring the secret British nuclear programme codenamed Tube Alloys and the scientists whose work helped make the Manhattan Project possible. The talk looks at the neglected story of the British physicists involved, including the international context of wartime research and the way their contribution was later overshadowed in the historical record.

The event is based on Professor Gareth Williams’s book The Impossible Bomb and is delivered by Professor Gareth Williams of the University of Bristol, an emeritus professor known for writing for general readers. The lecture blends science, history and biography, making it suitable for anyone interested in the history of physics, the origins of nuclear weapons, and how major scientific projects shape world events.

The event is organised by the Institute of Physics and takes place in person at Sarum College in Salisbury. Venue facilities include wheelchair access, free parking, and tea and coffee from the start of the evening.