ORNL FCU 75 Years
In 2008, Falcon 1 , the first privately developed spacecraft, was launched into orbit. Fidel Castro of Cuba resigned from leadership and Barack Obama became the first African American to be elected president of the United States. The Department of the Interior listed polar bears as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, Michael Phelps became an Olympic immortal, and the Large Hadron Collider fired up. Making their debut appearance were the MacBook, Hulu, the Twilight movie saga, Breaking Bad , the Tesla Roadster, and the Red Bull energy drink. US first-class postage rates were raised to 42 cents and the average yearly income was $40,500. Unemployment hovered around 5.8 percent, the price for a gallon of gas averaged $3.39, and eggs were $2.29 a dozen.
Above: In 2013, due to its deteriorated condition, Department of Energy contractors demolished the K-25 building in Oak Ridge. (US Department of Energy)
2008-2017 RISING ABOVE | 65
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