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How did the Manhattan Project contribute to the development of nuclear reactors?

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Labeled diagram showing the process of a nuclear power plant with a pressurized-water reactor. Water circulates through the reactor core, heats to produce steam in a steam generator, which drives a turbine connected to an electric generator. Steam is then cooled in a condenser using water from a cooling tower, which releases nonradioactive water vapor. Control rods, pumps, and transmission lines are also indicated. — nuclear power Schematic diagram of a nuclear power plant using a pressurized-water reactor.

The Manhattan Project was instrumental in the development of nuclear reactors, primarily by proving that a controlled, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction was feasible.12

Key contributions included:

First Controlled Reaction: On December 2, 1942, Enrico Fermi and his team at the University of Chicago successfully operated the world’s first nuclear reactor, known as a "pile," in a squash court at Stagg Field. This device, constructed from uranium and graphite, demonstrated the practical potential of atomic energy.12
Plutonium Production: To produce plutonium-239 for the war effort, the project required the construction of large-scale reactors. This necessitated significant advancements in reactor design, power output, and the development of complex chemical extraction procedures to isolate plutonium from irradiated uranium.3
Infrastructure and Scaling: The project established the Hanford Engineer Works in Washington, which utilized large-scale reactors to produce fissionable material, providing a foundational model for future industrial reactor technology.32

Following the war, these wartime advancements in reactor design and operation provided the technical basis for the modern nuclear power industry.14