Profs and Pints presents: “The Hunt for Lost Nazi Uranium,” with Timothy Koeth, associate professor, and Miriam Hiebert, postdoctoral researcher in Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Maryland.

In the summer of 2013, a very rare piece of atomic history landed on the desk of Timothy Koeth, an associate professor at the University of Maryland’s Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics. It was a mysterious block of uranium metal, accompanied by an intriguing note: “Taken from the reactor that Hitler tried to build. Gift of Ninninger.” The cryptic acquisition launched Koeth and Miriam Hiebert, then a graduate student there, into a years-long investigation that unfolds like a detective story.

In the waning days of World War II, U.S. authorities got their first look at the actual state of Nazi Germany’s research into nuclear physics. Rather than finding a weapons program, they discovered that German scientists had tried to build a nuclear reactor in a cave beneath a castle in Haigerloch, in southwestern Germany, but never succeeded in building a critical pile. In April 1945, U.S. troops captured 659 of the uranium cubes that had been part of this reactor experiment, and these cubes were then shipped to America by way of Paris.

What happened next is unclear. How did a uranium cube, manufactured as part of Nazi Germany’s failed attempt to build a nuclear reactor, end up in Maryland? And what happened to the other 658 cubes? Koeth and Hiebert are looking for them—and think there could be more to find in the offices and basements around Washington, D.C. and the United States. Perhaps they were melted down for refinement in the new nuclear weapons program, or perhaps they were handed out as paper-weight spoils of war! While the answer to their question is still unknown, their search has uncovered some new information about the German nuclear program and how close Nazi Germany actually got to its goal of building a working nuclear reactor. Their talk will both teach and thrill. (Advance tickets: $12. Doors: $15. Save $2 with student ID. Listed time is for doors. Talk starts 30 minutes later. Please arrive in plenty of time to place any order and be seated and settled before the talk begins.)

Time

(Thursday) 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Location

Social Circle Bistro at the Cambria Hotel - Washington DC Convention Center

899 O Street NW, Washington DC 20001

Cost

Advance ticket: $12. Door: $15, save $2 with a student ID.

Learn More

Calendar GoogleCal

23jan6:00 pm8:30 pmFeminist Bingo Night with Maggie O'Neill!6:00 pm - 8:30 pm The Whittemore House

You’ve played bingo…but have you played Feminist Bingo?

Join feminists and allies alike at The Whittemore House for a night of games, wine and exceptional artwork. Network with like-minded young professionals in the DC area while supporting the Woman’s National Democratic Club through your ticket purchase.

To top it off, we’ll be welcoming special guest Maggie O’Neill, artist, designer and creative entrepreneur, to lead our Feminist Bingo game! Maggie will be showcasing multiple prints and originals of her artwork throughout the night. Maggie is a fine artist, best known for her iconic pop impressionist paintings of Washington, D.C. landmarks and people. In 2012, Maggie had the honor of personally delivering a portrait to President Obama, and in 2014 her “DC Uncle Sam” was featured on the front page of The New York Times.

Your ticket, which will help to support our fight for women’s empowerment, will include:

The chance to meet Maggie O’Neill in person and hear more about the process behind her influential artwork
Your custom-made Feminist bingo board, free to take home to save
A complimentary wine, beer or champagne to start off your night
Light snacks to keep you fueled and focused throughout the game
The chance to network and socialize with like-minded feminists and allies, all while supporting a great cause

We hope to see you there!

More on Maggie O’Neill

Maggie O’Neill is an artist, designer, and creative entrepreneur based in Washington, D.C. She is the co-founder of SWATCHROOM, a creative design firm of innovators and experts specializing in hospitality design. As CCO of SWATCHROOM, her team has designed notable commercial spaces and private residences throughout the Mid-Atlantic, including more than 40 restaurants and a variety of commercial spaces in Washington, New York, Colorado, Atlanta, Paris, and Dubai. She has also designed custom installation pieces for real estate developers, private commissions, and companies such as Twitter and Microsoft.

Maggie is a fine artist, best known for her iconic pop impressionist paintings of Washington, D.C landmarks and people. In 2012, Maggie had the honor of personally delivering a portrait to President Obama, and in 2014 her “DC Uncle Sam” was featured on the front page of The New York Times. She’s been the featured speaker for Creative Mornings DC, a two-time winner of the design category for DC Inno’s “50 on Fire,” named a “Woman of Influence” by Capitol File magazine, and her art has been featured on the cover of several publications including the DC Magazine’s inauguration issue.

Maggie recently had the honor of the being the 2018 Official Artist of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Maggie’s portfolio includes installation and public art with her most recent collaboration being the “Women Who Will,” a 50’x 50’ mural located at 1919 Pennsylvania Ave, commissioned by Tishman Speyer and Lyft.

In addition to her work, Maggie is focused on giving back to her community and paying it forward. Proceeds from her artwork have benefited organizations like N Street Village, Research Down Syndrome, Tribute 21 Autism Speaks, Habitat for Humanity, DC Central Kitchen, Safe Shores, and Project Soar. She is the founder of SUPERFIERCE, a national traveling art exhibit that highlights female artists, benefits local charities, and mentors aspiring artists.

More on the WNDC

The Woman’s National Democratic Club (WNDC) is a hub for civic engagement, learning, and political action in the heart of the nation’s capital. We are a meeting place for Democrats, Independents, and Progressives to come together in order to protect and promote our democratic values. We continue our legacy of serving as a forum for our community to engage in conversation and action to advance shared political interests.

The Woman’s National Democratic Club brings together hundreds of members of all genders living in the Washington, DC-area and builds power with our members across 23 states. Our passionate community is composed of leaders in government, the Democratic Party, progressive political & advocacy institutions and corporate companies along with activists, artists and people who choose to be defined by a whole other set of labels. We are joined together with a shared passion for politics and good government. WNDC is a member-led 501(c)7 organization with a Board of Governors and Executive Committee elected from the membership and a professional staff that works with the Board and the Club president.

Time

(Thursday) 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Location

The Whittemore House

1526 New Hampshire Avenue, NW

Cost

$35

Learn More

Calendar GoogleCal

23jan7:00 pm11:00 pmHealth’s Angels V: One Year Anniversary Show!Personal Stories About Women"s Health7:00 pm - 11:00 pm Songbyrd

23jan7:30 pm9:00 pmThe HeavyWeights Comedy Show7:30 pm - 9:00 pm Brixton