The 'Little Feller I' test was executed on July 17, 1962, at the Nevada National Security Site, which had been established as the primary testing ground for nuclear weapons in the United States. This particular test was noteworthy as it represented the culmination of atmospheric nuclear testing before the major shift toward underground testing. The 20 kiloton device was designed to be a low-yield detonation, which allowed researchers to gather valuable data on the effects and impacts of nuclear explosions in a controlled environment.

The device was dropped from a plane at an altitude designed to simulate deployment scenarios, providing insight into how nuclear weapons might perform in wartime. The tests conducted in the Nevada desert allowed military and civilian personnel to analyze the surrounding environment and the implications for nuclear strategy during the Cold War. The data gathered from Little Feller I contributed to military readiness and future nuclear policy decisions.

Prior to this test, numerous atmospheric detonations had taken place across various testing sites, marking a significant aspect of U.S. nuclear history. The decision to limit atmospheric testing reflected growing concerns about radioactive fallout and international public opinion regarding nuclear arms proliferation. 'Little Feller I' stood as a defining moment that transitioned nuclear experimentation away from open-air detonations to more controlled underground explorations, shaping future U.S. policies on nuclear weapons development and international treaties.