Hinton Leads Atomic Industrial Development
Christopher Hinton plays a central role in developing the industrial facilities needed for Britain's early nuclear programme.
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Christopher Hinton Biography and Timeline
Follow Christopher Hinton through 19 dated historical records for Great Britain.
Christopher Hinton, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
19Distinct records
1 of 1Page
1950–2007Years on this page
1950
1951
Hinton Oversees Reactor Engineering Programme
Hinton directs major engineering work that supports the development of Britain's first generation of large nuclear reactors.
1953
Hinton Coordinates Nuclear Construction
Hinton's organisation advances the engineering and construction programme supporting Calder Hall and related facilities.
1954
Hinton Oversees Calder Hall Development
Hinton manages a major stage of the industrial effort to build Britain's first large nuclear generating station.
1955
Hinton Reviews Reactor Commissioning Progress
Hinton's nuclear engineering teams prepare the station's reactors and generating equipment for operation.
1956
Hinton Marks Calder Hall Milestone
Hinton's role in the British atomic energy programme is reflected in the opening of the pioneering station.
Hinton Explains Nuclear Industrial Potential
The Calder Hall project demonstrates the possibility of producing electricity alongside plutonium for defence purposes.
First Calder Hall Reactor Enters Service
Calder Hall's first reactor begins producing electricity during 1956, ahead of the ceremonial station opening.
Calder Hall Uses Magnox Fuel Technology
The station uses Magnox reactor technology with natural uranium fuel and graphite moderation.
Calder Hall Employs Carbon Dioxide Cooling
Carbon dioxide coolant removes heat from the reactors and transfers energy for steam production.
Calder Hall Supplies National Grid
Electricity produced at Calder Hall is delivered to the British electrical transmission system.
Calder Hall Operates Dual Purpose Reactors
The plant is designed both to generate electricity and to produce plutonium for Britain's weapons programme.
Calder Hall Demonstrates Nuclear Steam Generation
Heat released by nuclear fission is used to raise steam and drive conventional electricity generating equipment.
Calder Hall Highlights Engineering Safety Demands
Operating large industrial reactors creates new demands for radiation protection, monitoring and controlled maintenance.
Calder Hall Establishes British Reactor Precedent
The project's completion offers valuable experience for later British civil nuclear power stations.
1957
Hinton Continues Atomic Engineering Leadership
Hinton continues to influence British atomic engineering as the first generation of nuclear stations develops.
1958
Calder Hall Completes Four Reactor Station
Calder Hall develops into a four reactor generating station as the remaining units are brought into service.
2003
Calder Hall Ends Electricity Generation
Calder Hall stops generating electricity after decades of operation as part of the Sellafield nuclear site.
2007
Calder Hall Cooling Towers Demolished
Four cooling towers at Calder Hall are demolished during the long programme of site decommissioning.
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.