Independent Lens - Season 10 Episode 6
THE ATOM SMASHERS explores what happens when politicians, not scientists, decide which scientific projects will be funded and which will be cut, and depicts the contradictions that arise when the most educated population in the world begins to doubt the place and value of science. Archival film and vintage footage illustrate the history of Fermilab and cultural attitudes towards science in America, with key scientific ideas brought to life through animation. Despite the setbacks, the physicists at Fermilab continue the search. Until Europe’s atom smasher goes online and starts generating the massive amounts of collisions it takes to find such a minute particle, there’s still a chance that they can win the race. As physicist John Conway says, “This work is too important not to be done somewhere.” But will it be done here in the U.S.? Or will he and the rest of the physicists at Fermilab soon be packing their bags for Europe?
First Air Date : 1999-08-09
Last Air date : 2025-04-08
Runtime : 57 minutes
Genre : Documentary
Cast : Stanley Tucci
Crew : Roger Huynh (Lighting Technician)
Quality : 
Subtitles :
- Season 10 : Episode 12008-10-22
- Season 10 : Episode 22008-10-28
- Season 10 : Episode 32008-11-06
- Season 10 : Episode 42008-11-13
- Season 10 : Episode 52008-11-18
- Season 10 : Episode 62008-11-25
- Season 10 : Episode 72008-12-16
- Season 10 : Episode 82008-12-16
- Season 10 : Episode 92008-12-23
- Season 10 : Episode 102009-01-06
- Season 10 : Episode 112009-02-03
- Season 10 : Episode 122009-02-03
- Season 10 : Episode 132009-02-24
- Season 10 : Episode 142009-02-24
- Season 10 : Episode 152009-03-24
- Season 10 : Episode 162009-03-31
- Season 10 : Episode 172009-04-07
- Season 10 : Episode 182009-04-14
- Season 10 : Episode 192009-04-21
- Season 10 : Episode 202009-04-28
- Season 10 : Episode 212009-05-05
- Season 10 : Episode 222009-05-12
- Season 10 : Episode 232009-05-19
- Season 10 : Episode 242009-05-26
- Season 10 : Episode 252009-06-16
