Difference between revisions of "J. Robert Oppenheimer"
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Robert Oppenheimer (1904-1967) was an American theoretical physicist who was a manager in the [[Manhattan Project]] in [[Los Alamos]], [[New Mexico]]. He was a bright student and popular teacher, but never made significant contributions to the field of physics and was repeatedly passed over in the awarding of [[Nobel Prize|Nobel Prizes]]. The media generally liked Oppenheimer's politics and gave him credit as "the man who built the atomic bomb," when in fact Oppenheimer was merely a high-level manager and did little of the theoretically or actual experimental work behind it. | Robert Oppenheimer (1904-1967) was an American theoretical physicist who was a manager in the [[Manhattan Project]] in [[Los Alamos]], [[New Mexico]]. He was a bright student and popular teacher, but never made significant contributions to the field of physics and was repeatedly passed over in the awarding of [[Nobel Prize|Nobel Prizes]]. The media generally liked Oppenheimer's politics and gave him credit as "the man who built the atomic bomb," when in fact Oppenheimer was merely a high-level manager and did little of the theoretically or actual experimental work behind it. | ||
| − | Oppenheimer's best-known scientific contribution was to suggest a limit to the size of neutron stars. Larger neutron stars would collapse into [[black holes]] according to the theory of relativity. | + | Oppenheimer's best-known scientific contribution was to suggest a limit to the size of neutron stars. Larger neutron stars would collapse into [[black holes]] according to the theory of relativity. |
Oppenheimer lived in Berkeley, [[California]], and socialized with close [[communism|communist]] friends. When Oppenheimer opposed development of the [[hydrogen bomb]] in the 1950s, an investigation into whether he lied about his communist connections resulted in the revocation of his security clearance. This infuriated [[liberal]]s who then never forgave [[conservative]] scientists like [[Edward Teller]] for having testified against Oppenheimer. | Oppenheimer lived in Berkeley, [[California]], and socialized with close [[communism|communist]] friends. When Oppenheimer opposed development of the [[hydrogen bomb]] in the 1950s, an investigation into whether he lied about his communist connections resulted in the revocation of his security clearance. This infuriated [[liberal]]s who then never forgave [[conservative]] scientists like [[Edward Teller]] for having testified against Oppenheimer. | ||
Revision as of 22:50, March 5, 2007
Robert Oppenheimer (1904-1967) was an American theoretical physicist who was a manager in the Manhattan Project in Los Alamos, New Mexico. He was a bright student and popular teacher, but never made significant contributions to the field of physics and was repeatedly passed over in the awarding of Nobel Prizes. The media generally liked Oppenheimer's politics and gave him credit as "the man who built the atomic bomb," when in fact Oppenheimer was merely a high-level manager and did little of the theoretically or actual experimental work behind it.
Oppenheimer's best-known scientific contribution was to suggest a limit to the size of neutron stars. Larger neutron stars would collapse into black holes according to the theory of relativity.
Oppenheimer lived in Berkeley, California, and socialized with close communist friends. When Oppenheimer opposed development of the hydrogen bomb in the 1950s, an investigation into whether he lied about his communist connections resulted in the revocation of his security clearance. This infuriated liberals who then never forgave conservative scientists like Edward Teller for having testified against Oppenheimer.
Oppenheimer helped Congress draft the first laws covering the use and control of atomic energy.
In 1963, his clearance was reinstated by President Johnson. In the same year, the Atomic Energy Commission awarded him the Enrico Fermi Award.[1]
Notes and references
- ↑ J. Robert Oppenheimer receiving the AEC Enrico Fermi Award, photograph and description, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory]