Via Nerd Bot
Are you excited about the upcoming star-studded Christopher Nolan film about J. Robert Oppenheimer? So are we! And because we are, we’re going to tell you all about the man behind the legend and how he contributed to the world of weapons of mass destruction as we know it.
Who is Oppenheimer?
Known as the father of the atomic bomb, J. Robert Oppenheimer was an American physicist of German decedent who took on a huge role in the Manhattan Project, which was responsible for creating nuclear weapons in World War II.
Oppenheimer’s clumsiness in the laboratory made it apparent that his forte was not experimental but rather theoretical physics. Working in a team that was responsible for creating weapons of mass destruction and bringing annihilation upon the world, this man felt he was where he belonged.
Via Deadline
What made him become that person?
If you take a look at his early life, you can see indicators of his passion for destruction. For instance, Oppenheimer once confessed to his friend Francis Fergusson that he had left an apple doused with poisonous chemicals on his arch-nemesis Patrick Blackett’s desk. This incident caused him to nearly be expelled from his university, with the only thing saving him being his powerful parents and their political influence.
At one point, the scientist even tried to strangle his best friend when he learned he was getting married. So, yes, you can see that J. Robert Oppenheimer was clearly a person plagued with several issues and found his solace in physics. It’s reported that he’d even told his brother that he needed physics more than friends. Well, science is cool and everything, but we think Oppenheimer could have used some friendships.
Via El-Fagr
The man behind the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings!
When Oppenheimer became the chairman and director of the Atomic Energy Commission following the aftermath of World War II, he used his power to stand against the proliferation of nuclear weapons in the hands of the Soviet Union. He also publicly protested the creation of the hydrogen bomb in a famous government debate in the early ‘50s.
Why would the father of the atomic bomb take a stand against weapons? Well, it’s said that he felt remorse for the countless deaths and destruction his creation caused and sought redemption in making sure weapons like that won’t be utilised again as a show of power or something more disastrous.
Via Laitimes
Here are his other non-destructive achievements!
Oppenheimer’s publicised stance on the hydrogen bomb, and his affiliation with the communist party, caused his security clearance to be revoked. Stripped from all his power, the genius scientist didn’t stop expressing his disdain for the political climate and its approach toward weapons of mass destruction.
To combat the climate, the scientist kept doing what he did best: Scientific research. Eventually, his work led to significant discoveries on neutron stars, black holes, and quantum physics. In other words, his genius went all the way to space!
