Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima Urban Destruction Data: Morris Jeppson Inscribed Photograph of Atomic Dome with Damage Assessment, 1945 Context

Morris Jeppson

Manuscripts & Autographs

Jeppson, Morris. Inscribed photograph of the Hiroshima Atomic Dome following the atomic bombing, provides a quantified assessment of destruction written by the weapons officer responsible for arming the bomb aboard the Enola Gay on August 6, 1945. As the individual who physically armed the device prior to release, Morris Jeppson links technical execution of the mission with retrospective evaluation of its effects. His inscription records measured estimates of blast radius, fire spread, and infrastructure damage, contributing to the historical record of how participants in the bombing articulated its scale and consequences in numerical terms.

Jeppson, Morris. Hiroshima Atomic Dome photograph. United States, post-1945. Black-and-white photograph measuring approximately 9 x 8.5 inches, inscribed in ink by Morris Jeppson. The inscription reads: “The radius of destruction of Hiroshima was about 1.6 km, with resulting fires across 11.4 square km. Infrastructure damage was estimated at 90% of Hiroshima's buildings either damaged or completely destroyed. Morris Jeppson – Weapon Test Officer – Enola Gay Mission – Hiroshima 6 Aug. 1945.” The image depicts the Atomic Dome, one of the few surviving structures near the hypocenter, paired with Jeppson’s statistical summary of destruction, integrating visual evidence with numerical interpretation.

The Hiroshima bombing introduced a new scale of urban destruction defined by nuclear technology, with immediate and long-term consequences for civilian populations and infrastructure. Jeppson’s inscription reflects how participants in the mission communicated its impact through measurable data, aligning with postwar efforts to document and understand the physical effects of atomic weapons. The combination of a landmark image of the Atomic Dome with a participant-authored damage assessment offers a primary source for the study of nuclear warfare, urban devastation, and the translation of technological force into quantifiable outcomes.

Light handling wear; photograph remains clean with strong, legible inscription. Overall very good.

Item #12765

Price: $500.00