Watertown Arsenal

The book chronicles the historical significance of the Army Materials Technology Laboratory in Watertown, which was integral to U.S. military advancements from the War of 1812 through the Cold War. It highlights the lab's contributions to powerful artillery, such as the "atomic cannon," and its role as a hub for efficiency studies by experts like Frederick Winslow Taylor. Additionally, it discusses the lab's impact on materials science and its importance as a regional employer, noting visits from prominent figures like Franklin D. Roosevelt and Gen. Douglas MacArthur.