Before 1946 Harwell was probably best known for its cherry growing. During the Second World War an airfield was built nearby and named RAF Harwell. The airfield was used to launch glider-borne troops for the Normandy invasion. In 1946 this airfield was taken over to become the new Atomic Energy Research Establishment, the main centre for atomic energy research in the UK, and become known as Harwell Laboratory. Other parts of the airfield were later used for other scientific organisations, including the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.