I had a weird interaction with ChatGPT about this, which in the end resulted in finding a satisfying answer. It turns out that the atomic symbol was first use to advertise electricity, and then switched to become the symbol of atomic power:
[human] when was the atom icon popularized? With atom icon, I mean the schematic sketch of electrons whirling around the nucleus.
[ChatGPT] The schematic sketch of electrons whirling around the nucleus of an atom, known as the "Bohr model" or "Rutherford-Bohr model," was popularized in the early 20th century. Danish physicist Niels Bohr introduced the model in 1913, based on earlier work by Ernest Rutherford, which proposed that the atom consists of a small, positively charged nucleus surrounded by orbiting electrons.
The Bohr model was revolutionary at the time because it provided a theoretical framework for understanding the behavior of atoms and their spectral lines. It also helped to explain why atoms do not collapse under the influence of electromagnetic radiation, as classical physics would have predicted.
The Bohr model quickly became a popular representation of the atom in textbooks and scientific literature, and it remained the prevailing model of the atom until the development of quantum mechanics in the 1920s and 1930s. However, even with the advent of quantum mechanics, the Bohr model continued to be used as a useful tool for visualizing atomic structure and understanding atomic behavior. Today, the Bohr model is still commonly taught in introductory physics and chemistry courses as a simplified representation of atomic structure.
[human] But what about the graphical representation that appears in comic books, movies and newspaper articles in the 1940s?
[ChatGPT]The graphical representation of the atom with electrons orbiting around the nucleus, often depicted as a stylized representation with circles or ellipses, became popularized in the 1940s, particularly in the context of popular media such as comic books and newspaper articles.
The use of such an iconic representation of the atom can be traced back to the work of scientists such as Ernest Rutherford and Niels Bohr in the early 20th century, as their research on atomic structure and behavior influenced how the atom was conceptualized and represented in popular culture.
During the 1940s, the atom and nuclear energy became increasingly prominent topics in society due to the development of nuclear weapons and the use of atomic energy in industry and medicine. As a result, the graphical representation of the atom with electrons whirling around the nucleus became a widely recognized symbol of science and technology, and it was frequently used in popular media to explain atomic concepts to the general public.
This stylized representation of the atom has continued to be popular in popular culture to this day, appearing in a variety of contexts such as educational materials, science fiction media, and advertising. However, it is important to note that this representation is a simplified and stylized version of the complex reality of atomic structure and behavior, and it should not be taken as an accurate depiction of the atom at a scientific level.
[human] Which artists created the stylized representation of the atom
[ChatGPT]The stylized representation of the atom with electrons orbiting around the nucleus has been used by many artists and designers over the years, and it is difficult to attribute its creation to any single individual.
However, some of the earliest and most influential depictions of the atom with electrons in orbit can be traced back to the work of American physicist and artist Dr. Alexander Calder. Calder is known for his mobile sculptures, which often feature abstract shapes and forms that move and interact with each other in response to air currents.
In the 1930s, Calder began incorporating the motif of the atom and its electrons into his mobiles and sculptures, creating whimsical and stylized representations that captured the public's imagination. His works were featured in prominent exhibitions and publications, and they helped to popularize the idea of the atom as a symbol of science and modernity.
Other artists and designers who have contributed to the development of the stylized atom motif include graphic designer Alex Steinweiss, who created album covers and other designs featuring atomic imagery in the 1940s and 1950s, and artist and illustrator Chesley Bonestell, who created numerous depictions of space and atomic landscapes for science fiction books and films.
Overall, the stylized representation of the atom with electrons in orbit has been used by many artists and designers over the years, and its origins and evolution can be traced back to a variety of sources in art, design, and science.
[human] what are other artists that drew atoms in the 1930s and 1940s?
[ChatGPT]In addition to Alexander Calder, there were several other artists who depicted atoms in their work during the 1930s and 1940s. Here are a few examples:
Isamu Noguchi: Noguchi was a Japanese-American artist and landscape architect who is best known for his sculptures and public works. In the 1930s, he created a series of sculptures and installations that incorporated the motif of the atom, including the "Atomo" sculpture (1937), which features a spherical metal framework with a nucleus at its center and wire spokes representing electrons.
Lucia Moholy: Moholy was a Hungarian photographer and designer who is best known for her work documenting the Bauhaus school of design in Germany. In the 1930s, she created a series of photomontages that depicted atoms and molecules, using a combination of scientific illustrations and abstract forms to create striking and innovative images.
George Elbert Burr: Burr was an American painter and printmaker who is best known for his landscapes and etchings. In the 1930s, he created a series of etchings that depicted atoms and molecules, using intricate line work and delicate shading to capture the complexity and beauty of atomic structures.
Werner Drewes: Drewes was a German-American artist and teacher who is best known for his abstract paintings and prints. In the 1940s, he created a series of lithographs and woodcuts that depicted atoms and atomic landscapes, using bold colors and geometric forms to create striking and dynamic compositions.
These are just a few examples of the many artists who were influenced by the atomic imagery of the time and incorporated it into their work in various ways.
At this point, I researched these artists and could not find works containing the atomic symbol. So I asked this follow-up question.
[human] No, I mean with a nucleus and orbits of electrons.
[ChatGPT]Ah, I see. In that case, some of the other artists who depicted atoms with a nucleus and orbits of electrons in the 1930s and 1940s include:
Rudolf Modley: Modley was a Hungarian-born artist and designer who is best known for his educational illustrations and diagrams. In the 1930s, he created a series of diagrams and illustrations that explained atomic theory and structure, often using simplified depictions of atoms with a nucleus and orbits of electrons.
Henry Dreyfuss: Dreyfuss was an American industrial designer who is best known for his work on consumer products and appliances. In the 1940s, he created a series of diagrams and illustrations that explained atomic energy and nuclear power, often using stylized depictions of atoms with a nucleus and orbits of electrons.
William Longyear: Longyear was an American painter and illustrator who is best known for his work in advertising and commercial art. In the 1940s, he created a series of illustrations and advertisements that promoted atomic energy and nuclear power, often using dramatic depictions of atoms with a nucleus and orbits of electrons.
Frank Soltesz: Soltesz was an American illustrator and muralist who is best known for his detailed depictions of American history and industry. In the 1940s, he created a series of illustrations and murals that explained atomic energy and nuclear power, often using highly realistic depictions of atoms with a nucleus and orbits of electrons.
These artists and designers, along with many others, helped to popularize the iconic image of the atom with a nucleus and orbits of electrons during the 1930s and 1940s, as the world became increasingly fascinated with the science and technology of atomic energy.
Again, I researched these artists, but also googled "atomic energy artists 1940s", which led me to a Pinterest collection of images to Herbert Bayer (see updated question).
So finally I asked:
[human] Did Herbert Bayer popularize the atomic symbol when he was working for general electric?
[ChatGPT] Yes, Herbert Bayer is credited with popularizing the atomic symbol during his time working as a designer for General Electric (GE) in the 1940s. Bayer was hired by GE to create a series of advertisements and promotional materials that would help to promote the company's new initiatives in atomic research and nuclear power.
As part of his work for GE, Bayer created a stylized atomic symbol that featured a circle with three ellipses orbiting around a central nucleus. This symbol quickly became associated with atomic energy and was widely used in GE's advertising and promotional materials, helping to popularize the concept of atomic energy and nuclear power among the American public.
Bayer's atomic symbol was simple, modern, and easy to reproduce, making it ideal for use in a wide range of media, including print ads, television commercials, and product packaging. Over time, the symbol became synonymous with atomic energy and was used by a wide range of companies and organizations involved in atomic research and nuclear power.
Overall, Bayer's work for GE played an important role in popularizing the concept of atomic energy and the iconic atomic symbol that remains a familiar sight today.
I have not found the source for this information yet, but it seems like Herbert Bayer was well-connected (with Walter P. Paepcke and Leo Lionni, for example) and General Electric's advertising campaign was successful in implanting the atomic symbol in many brains.