Manhattan Project Digital Library - Introduction

We are in the process of developing the Manhattan Project Digital Library and Research Center. This interactive web site will set a new standard for presenting document-based historical information on the Internet. Relying on the concept of DBQ's (Document Based Questions), the web site will encourage students to thoroughly discuss and interpret a historic event through the careful analysis of primary source documents. At the present time we are cataloguing and digitizing Manhattan Project primary source documents and other items and presenting them as "collections" under the veteran's name who provided them to us. Thus far we have added close to 1,500 primary source documents during 2003 alone and have an additional 1,500 in process. We are on a nationwide search for additional content. If you have any primary source documents (photos, documents, letters, etc.) in your possession, please contact us by clicking on feedback above.

BACKGROUND:

The Manhattan Project (America's atomic bomb development effort during World War II) is the most studied event in American History.
The Manhattan Project was voted as the most important news story of the 20th century.
The Manhattan Project Heritage Preservation Association is the largest on-line repository of primary source documents related to the development of the atomic bomb during World War II.
More students and life-long learners obtain information about the Manhattan Project from our web site "Children of the Manhattan Project" than from any other source.

THE PROBLEM:

Present web site is 'static' in nature and is not interactive.
Lack of a sophisticated search engine makes it difficult for the visitor to locate all of the information needed.
No efficient structure for adding new content.

THE SOLUTION: THE MANHATTAN PROJECT DIGITAL LIBRARY AND RESEARCH CENTER

Redesigned using Macromedia's Dreamweaver and Flash MX.
Fully searchable and scalable SQL database.
Separate entry points for five definable groups of visitors: Middle School, High School, College/University, Life-long Learner, and the Serious Researcher/Scholar.
Scripted audio files to enhance the presentation of photos and documents.
Oral histories of Manhattan Project veterans complete with transcripts.
Thorough linkage to annotated references and biographies.
Real-time, on-line assistance.