Super HILAC (Super Heavy Ion Linear Accelerator) was one of the first particle accelerators that could accelerate heavier elements to “atom-smashing” speeds. The device was built in 1972 and played a significant role in four decades of scientific research at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. In addition to being the launchpad for a variety of major experiments, the Super HILAC was crucial in the discovery of five superheavy elements. In this photo, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s Bob Stevenson and Frank Grobelch are sitting inside the Super HILAC’s poststripper. The maze of piping behind them is meant to circulate cooling water through the accelerator. | Photo courtesy of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.