Why mannequins at nuclear test site?

Question

Why the mannequins?

I realize the why behind the cars and even the houses and such, so they could test radiation levels and whatnot. But the mannequins make no sense to me. If they'd wanted to test the effects directly on flesh, they would have used something living (and did, it seems, from what you wrote about the animals in cages). So the mannequins (which I've heard came from JC Penney) can't have been there to measure that. Mannequins back then were usually made from wood so they'd take the same abuse as the furniture in the houses. So they wouldn't have been testing wood.

I really am puzzled about the mannequins. Did they put them there to make it seem inhabited? If so, why? They were just going to blow the place up. Why take the time, money and trouble to set up tableaus of inanimate Family Circle living? Besides, a bunch of mannequins standing around staring at you with glassy eyes and fake smiles, frozen mid-activity sounds like it'd be creepy, not soothing.

So yeah. Does know what the original idea was behind the mannequins?

Answer 1

Probably because a bunch of science geeks thought it would look cool on film...The testing of effects on flesh was done with pigs and sheep...Actually in most test films on atomic bombs ... I really never seen any mannequins...Might be a "Hollywood" thing...Some guy being taken to a govt. "Safehouse" with mannequins in it...Only to fine it is a atomic testing site...Been used several time...Check out the video "Atomic Cafe"...Likely they were testing the effects of the blast on certain clothing on the mannequins..

Answer 2

Think about to whom you are selling the mannequins.  When you have a buyer that does not actually pay from their own wallet or purse, you buy whatever anyone is selling.  I think the idea is you can ask for more money the next funding season.  It is the government mentality and it exists nowhere in reality.