Robert Oppenheimer Biography

Publishes work with Snyder on continued gravitational contraction of massive stars.

Groves appoints Oppenheimer to head the project's secret weapons laboratory. Theorists Hans Bethe, John Van Vleck, Edward Teller, Felix Bloch, Emil Konopinski, Robert Serber, Stanley S. Frankel, and Eldred C.

Nelson (the latter three all former students of Oppenheimer) quickly confirm that a fission bomb is feasible.

Oppenheimer and Robert Serber of the University of Illinois work on the problems of neutron diffusion (how neutrons moved in the chain reaction) and hydrodynamics (how the explosion produced by the chain reaction might behave). Arthur Compton asks theoretical physicist J.

Robert Oppenheimer convenes a summer conference at the University of California, Berkeley to discuss the design of a fission bomb, Edward Teller brings up the possibility of a hydrogen bomb as a major point of discussion.

Robert Oppenheimer of the University of California, Berkeley to take over research on fast neutron calculations-key to calculations about critical mass and weapon detonation

The scientific research is directed by American physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer

The scientific research is directed by American physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer

Oppenheimer is given the title "Coordinator of Rapid Rupture", specifically referring to the propagation of a fast neutron chain reaction in an atomic bomb

Groves appoints Oppenheimer to head the project's secret weapons laboratory

Robert Oppenheimer convenes a summer conference at the University of California, Berkeley to discuss the design of a fission bomb, Edward Teller brings up the possibility of a hydrogen bomb as a major point of discussion

Robert Oppenheimer convenes a summer conference at the University of California, Berkeley to discuss the design of a fission bomb, Edward Teller brings up the possibility of a hydrogen bomb as a major point of discussion

At a meeting of the S-1 Executive Committee, it is decided that a centralized laboratory should be established to study fast neutrons, code-named "Project Y"

At a meeting of the S-1 Executive Committee, it is decided that a centralized laboratory should be established to study fast neutrons, code-named "Project Y"

At a meeting of the S-1 Executive Committee, it is decided that a centralized laboratory should be established to study fast neutrons, code-named "Project Y"

Leslie Richard Groves appoints Robert Oppenheimer to coordinate the scientific research of the project at the "Site Y" laboratory

Leslie Richard Groves appoints Robert Oppenheimer to coordinate the scientific research of the project at the "Site Y" laboratory

Groves and Oppenheimer visit Los Alamos, New Mexico and designate it as the location for "Site Y

Groves and Oppenheimer visit Los Alamos, New Mexico and designate it as the location for "Site Y

Development efforts were directed to a plutonium gun-type fission weapon called "Thin Man"

A contract is concluded with the University of California to manage Los Alamos administration, procurement and payroll.

Los Alamos begins its first nuclear-physics experiment, measuring plutonium-239 fission-neutron yield and marking the laboratory's transition into active experimental work.

Oppenheimer proposes recruiting explosives expert George Kistiakowsky to strengthen the expanding implosion programme.

Project W-47, later called Project Alberta set up to plan delivery of the bomb

Project W-47, later called Project Alberta set up to plan delivery of the bomb

Project W-47, later called Project Alberta set up to plan delivery of the bomb

Project W-47, later called Project Alberta set up to plan delivery of the bomb

Project W-47, later called Project Alberta set up to plan delivery of the bomb

Construction begins for the first reactor at the Hanford Site

Oppenheimer informs the Los Alamos staff that reactor plutonium's neutron background makes the plutonium gun design impractical and implosion must become the priority.

Oppenheimer approves plans to conduct the first full-scale bomb test in the Jornada del Muerto area of the Alamogordo Bombing Range.

Successful test of explosive lens for Fat Man

Successful test of explosive lens for Fat Man

Successful test of explosive lens for Fat Man

A senior design meeting fixes the plutonium bomb approach around a solid core, explosive lenses, electric detonators and a modulated neutron initiator.

Second meeting of the Target Committee, at Los Alamos, which works to finalize the list of cities on which atomic bombs may be dropped

Second meeting of the Target Committee, at Los Alamos, which works to finalize the list of cities on which atomic bombs may be dropped

Second meeting of the Target Committee, at Los Alamos, which works to finalize the list of cities on which atomic bombs may be dropped

Second meeting of the Target Committee, at Los Alamos, which works to finalize the list of cities on which atomic bombs may be dropped

The Interim Committee's Scientific Panel reports that it sees no technical demonstration likely to end the war and no acceptable alternative to direct military use.

The first nuclear explosion, the "Trinity" test of an implosion-style plutonium-based nuclear weapon known as "the gadget", near Alamogordo, New Mexico

The joint work of the scientists at Los Alamos resulted in the first artificial nuclear explosion near Alamogordo on July 16, 1945, the site of which Oppenheimer named "Trinity". The first nuclear explosion, the "Trinity" test of an implosion-style plutonium-based nuclear weapon known as "the gadget", near Alamogordo, New Mexico

The first nuclear explosion, the "Trinity" test of an implosion-style plutonium-based nuclear weapon known as "the gadget", near Alamogordo, New Mexico

The first nuclear explosion, the "Trinity" test of an implosion-style plutonium-based nuclear weapon known as "the gadget", near Alamogordo, New Mexico

The joint work of the scientists at Los Alamos resulted in the first artificial nuclear explosion near Alamogordo on July 16, 1945, the site of which Oppenheimer named "Trinity". The first nuclear explosion, the "Trinity" test of an implosion-style plutonium-based nuclear weapon known as "the gadget", near Alamogordo, New Mexico

The first nuclear explosion, the "Trinity" test of an implosion-style plutonium-based nuclear weapon known as "the gadget", near Alamogordo, New Mexico

The first nuclear explosion, the "Trinity" test of an implosion-style plutonium-based nuclear weapon known as "the gadget", near Alamogordo, New Mexico

Oppenheimer warns Stimson that atomic weapons will improve, defenses will remain inadequate, and the United States cannot expect a permanent nuclear monopoly.

Oppenheimer resigns as director of Los Alamos, and is succeeded by Norris Bradbury

Oppenheimer resigns as director of Los Alamos, and is succeeded by Norris Bradbury

After the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) came into being in 1947, as a civilian agency in control of nuclear research and weapons issues, Oppenheimer was immediately appointed as the Chairman of its General Advisory Committee (GAC)

Oppenheimer accepted an offer from Lewis Strauss to take up the directorship of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey