b'1951 \x07Electricity\x07flows\x07from\x07atomic\x07energy.\x07Rough\x07estimate indicates 45 kw.Walter Zinns entry in the EBR-I logbook at 1:23 p.m. on Dec. 20, 1951Light from Nuclear EnergyOn Dec. 20, 1951, Argonnes Experimental Breeder Reactor No. 1 (EBR-I) producedenough electricity to power four lightbulbs. From this modest start, the civilian applicationof nuclear energy became a reality. EBR-I achieved full-power operation the next day. The liquid metal sodium-potassium alloy (NaK) used as coolant produced a high-temperature low-pressure operation, both conducive to efficient power production. In 1953, EBR-I proved that a nuclear reactor designed to operate in the high-energy neutron range could create more fuel than it consumed (breeding).7'