Wilkening, M. (Marvin)

Physicist. B.S., Southeast Missouri State University, 1939. M.S., Illinois Institute of Technology, 1943; Ph. D., 1949.

From the description of Papers, 1940-1992. (University of Chicago Library). WorldCat record id: 52248076

Wilkening is professor emeritus of physics and dean emeritus of graduate studies at New Mexico Tech.

While a graduate student at the Illinois Institute of Technology, Marvin Wilkening was a member of Enrico Fermi's group at the University of Chicago, which achieved the first sustained nuclear chain reaction. On December 2, 1942, Wilkening operated the neutron detector that indicated successful obtainment of a sustained chain reaction in the pile of graphite and uranium known as Chicago Pile 1.

When the U.S. Army's atomic bomb Manhattan Project was started, he continued his work on neutron detectors. He was present at New Mexico's Trinity Site during the explosion of the first atomic bomb on July 16, 1945.

At New Mexico Tech, Dr. Wilkening served as chair of the Department of Physics for 15 years. As a faculty member in the department, he conducted research on the atmospheric environment, both indoors and outdoors, specializing in the use of radon gas and its decay products as powerful investigative tools. His wife of 60 years passed away June 20, 2003.

From the guide to the Wilkening, Marvin. Papers, 1940-1992, (Special Collections Research Center University of Chicago Library 1100 East 57th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.)