The Idaho 25 Goldback depicts one of the most important scientific breakthroughs of the twentieth century through the virtue Scientia, or knowledge and understanding. At a time when nuclear energy was still experimental and closely scrutinized worldwide, Idaho stepped forward to prove what was possible. On December 20, 1951, Experimental Breeder Reactor I in Arco, Idaho became the first power plant in the world to generate electricity with nuclear energy, lighting four bulbs as proof that peaceful atomic power was achievable. Four years later, on July 17, 1955, electricity from the BORAX-III reactor powered the entire city of Arco for one hour, making it the first city in the world lit by nuclear power.

The female scientist in the artwork references Idaho’s contributions to science and engineering, including women working at the highest levels of research. The equations on the board behind her were critical to this moment in history. E = mc², published by Albert Einstein in 1905, calculates the immense energy within matter and is foundational to nuclear science. The other equation (²³⁵U + ¹n → ¹⁴¹Ba + ⁹²Kr + 3¹n + energy) is the precise fission reaction that made history on that day in Arco.

This breakthrough established Idaho as a global leader in peaceful atomic research. The National Reactor Testing Station, later renamed the Idaho National Laboratory, went on to host more than fifty experimental reactors and remains central to U.S. energy and security research today. In 1966, EBR-I was designated a National Historic Landmark, formally recognizing its worldwide significance.

Written on the note is a quote from Idaho native Philo T. Farnsworth, inventor of television: “There’s nothing worth knowing that isn’t difficult.” Together, the imagery and words present Scientia as the willingness to tackle hard problems and shape the modern world through innovation.