1663 is the flagship science and technology magazine of Los Alamos National Laboratory. This publication highlights the most significant research initiatives and accomplishments of the Laboratory, and is delivered to a diverse audience across the country.
 
Often, when 1663 asks scientists how they came to join the Laboratory, they recount the vivid experience of driving up “the Hill” for the first time, ascending the dramatic ledge-style road set within pastel-orange canyon walls and emerging at the town and sprawling laboratory atop the Pajarito Plateau, at the base of the beautiful Jemez mountains. The road has been rerouted a bit over the years, but the experience was essentially the same for the first scientists, military personnel, and staff of the Laboratory, when it was established in 1943, as part of the Manhattan Project.

To celebrate the Laboratory's 75-year anniversary, we created an illustration for the cover of the magazine that speaks to the arrival experience, romanticizing an early trip up "the Hill." Inspired by the WPA posters of the late 1930s and early 40s, we went with an airbrush style that hearkens back to the early days of Los Alamos.

Setting the illustration in the 1940s presented its own set of challenges. The road has been repeatedly rerouted over the years, so we worked alongside Laboratory historians to ensure historical accuracy. They helped us research the path of the road, the model of the car, the style of the license plate, and confirmed details like the fact that there were no guardrails present at the time. The route was beautiful but treacherous for travelers in 1943.

We couldn't resist including a few small details that Laboratory employees would appreciate: from precise local flora to J. Robert Oppenheimer in the passenger seat, sporting his iconic hat. We even added a vanity plate on the car that references an important isotope of the element uranium.

I began the illustration by creating a rough photo collage for reference using images of the road as it looks today. I then drew on top of this image in Photoshop, iteratively refining the drawing as key elements were introduced. I worked in shades of grey initially, to create an interesting value pattern and to set the mood. Finally, I used gradient maps to add color and make the illustration pop. It was drawn entirely in Photoshop using a digital tablet and Kyle T. Webster's brushes.

This cover was very well received by our readers, especially among Laboratory employees. It heightened the profile of our magazine, increased our number of subscribers, and, due to popular demand, was even printed as a commemorative poster to be framed and displayed in various offices around the Laboratory. The scientists at Los Alamos have much to be proud of and this illustration seeks to embody that pride.
 
Los Alamos National Laboratory is a federally funded research and development center. As the senior laboratory in the DOE system, we execute work in all of DOE’s missions: national security, science, energy, and environmental management. Our contributions are part of what makes DOE a science, technology, and engineering powerhouse for the nation.
 
Team
Craig Tyler: Editor-in-Chief
Dan Judge: Designer and Illustrator
Sarah Tasseff: Designer
Eleanor Hutterer: Science Editor
Rebecca McDonald: Science Writer
Historian: Alan Carr
Archivist: John Tyler Moore