J. Robert Oppenheimer

J. Robert Oppenheimer, an American theoretical and nuclear physicist known as 'the father of the atomic bomb', was born on April 22, 1904. He had a complex personality and made significant contributions to science and politics.

J. Robert Oppenheimer, the American physicist who led the Manhattan Project during World War II, was born in 1908.

At the age of seven, J. Robert Oppenheimer enrolled in the Ethical Culture School founded by Dr. Felix Adler, emphasizing social justice and secular humanism.

Frank Oppenheimer, brother of Robert Oppenheimer, was born in 1912. Like his brother, he also pursued a career in physics.

In 1922, as a teenager, Robert Oppenheimer visited New Mexico for his health. He explored the Sangre de Cristo mountains on horseback and expressed his desire to combine his passion for the Southwest with his love for science.

In 1924, J. Robert Oppenheimer was accepted to study physics at Cambridge. He had to complete a basic laboratory class due to his lack of skill in that department.

On May 28, 1925, J. Robert Oppenheimer completes his education at Ethical Culture School in New York. During his senior year at the school, he develops a keen interest in Chemistry.

J. Robert Oppenheimer, feeling too nervous and high-strung for experimental physics, moves to Germany's University of Göttingen where he finds his niche in theoretical physics. He publishes numerous papers on quantum mechanics and successfully earns his doctorate at the young age of 23.

On January 1, 1929, J. Robert Oppenheimer accepts an associate professorship at the University of California upon returning to the United States.

In 1931, J. Robert Oppenheimer, with his family's assistance, acquires the Perro Caliente Ranch in New Mexico, near the future site of the Los Alamos National Laboratory.

On May 10, 1936, J. Robert Oppenheimer is promoted to a full Professor at the University of California.

In 1939, J. Robert Oppenheimer met Kitty, who was married at the time. They started a relationship, leading to Kitty getting pregnant in 1940 and a quick divorce to marry Oppenheimer.

On November 1, 1940, J. Robert Oppenheimer married Katherine Puening Harrison, a former Communist Party member and a student at Berkeley.

In October 1942, J. Robert Oppenheimer meets with Gen. Lesley R. Groves to discuss becoming the scientific director of what would later be known as the Los Alamos Laboratory. He was appointed to this position shortly after the meeting.

In 1942, General Leslie R. Groves requested J. Robert Oppenheimer to lead Project Y, which was intended to be the primary research and design facility for weapon physics.

In November 1942, General Groves and Oppenheimer visited the Los Alamos mesa in New Mexico and designated it as the location for 'Site Y', a crucial decision for the Manhattan Project.

On December 2, 1942, J. Robert Oppenheimer is appointed as the scientific director of the Los Alamos Laboratory. This appointment marked a significant step in his involvement in the Manhattan Project.

The Trinity Test was the first detonation of a nuclear weapon, which took place on July 16, 1945, in New Mexico. This event marked a significant milestone in the development of atomic weapons.

Less than three years after General Leslie Groves selected J. Robert Oppenheimer to direct weapons development, the United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan.

On August 9, 1945, the United States dropped the second atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan, causing further devastation and loss of life. This event, following the bombing of Hiroshima, played a crucial role in Japan's decision to surrender and end World War II.

On August 17, 1945, J. Robert Oppenheimer sent a letter to the future US Department of Defense highlighting the dangers and ethical concerns regarding nuclear weapons, shortly after the atomic bombings of Japan. He emphasized the importance of preventing future wars to ensure the safety of the nation.

In October 1945, Oppenheimer stepped down as the director of the Los Alamos Laboratory, opting to accept a position at CalTech, marking a significant transition in his career.

Oppenheimer is honored with the Presidential Medal of Merit in recognition of his contributions.

In the second issue of the Bulletin, Dr. Oppenheimer proposed the idea of destroying the American stockpile of atomic bombs to achieve world peace. He emphasized the importance of international cooperation and trust in preventing atomic warfare.

Oppenheimer played a significant role in the Acheson-Lilienthal report, which proposed international control of nuclear weapons.

On June 7, 1949, J. Robert Oppenheimer testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee, admitting his past associations with the Communist Party USA and revealing that some of his students had also been communists. This testimony led to repercussions for Oppenheimer and others involved.

In 1950, President Truman initiated a rapid program aimed at constructing the hydrogen bomb, also known as 'the Super'.

William Borden wrote a letter accusing J. Robert Oppenheimer of being a communist and a security threat to America, leading to President Dwight D. Eisenhower restricting Oppenheimer's government clearance.

On December 21, 1953, J. Robert Oppenheimer was suspended from the General Advisory Committee of the Atomic Energy Commission due to his alleged communist connections, as many of his family and friends were affiliated with the Communist Party.

In 1953, J. Robert Oppenheimer delivered a speech to the Council on Foreign Relations and published an article in Foreign Affairs magazine and the Bulletin. He warned about the dangers of nuclear weapons by comparing the situation to two scorpions in a bottle, highlighting the mutual destruction that could result from a nuclear conflict.

In 1954, J. Robert Oppenheimer's security clearance was suspended based on FBI reports falsely accusing him of being a Russian spy. This led to President Dwight Eisenhower ordering a 'blank wall' between Oppenheimer and secret data, sparking a challenge from Oppenheimer against the suspension.

On June 29, 1954, the US Atomic Energy Commission revoked J. Robert Oppenheimer's security clearance just 32 hours before its expiration, a controversial decision that stirred debate.

In September 1957, France honored J. Robert Oppenheimer by appointing him as an Officer of the Legion of Honor.

In 1959, Lewis Strauss faced a Senate hearing regarding his nomination as the U.S. Secretary of Commerce by President Eisenhower. The 16-day event concluded with the Senate rejecting his confirmation, marking a significant setback in Strauss' political career.

On December 2, 1963, President Lyndon Johnson presented J. Robert Oppenheimer with the Enrico Fermi Award, despite the Atomic Energy Commission's refusal to grant him security clearance.

J. Robert Oppenheimer, the American theoretical physicist and science administrator, passed away in Princeton, New Jersey at the age of 62. He was noted for his role as the director of the Los Alamos Laboratory during the development of the atomic bomb and as the director of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton.

After a battle with throat cancer and unsuccessful chemotherapy, J. Robert Oppenheimer fell into a coma and passed away three days later.

A conference commemorating the 100th anniversary of J. Robert Oppenheimer's birth was held at the University of California, Berkeley. The event included a digital exhibition on his life and the publication of conference proceedings in 2005 as 'Reappraising Oppenheimer: Centennial Studies and Reflections'.

United States Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm vacated the 1954 revocation of Oppenheimer's security clearance, citing a flawed process that violated regulations. Granholm's decision has drawn criticism.

The film 'Oppenheimer' directed by Christopher Nolan, focusing on the life of theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb, is set to be released on July 21, 2023.

Christopher Nolan's biopic on J. Robert Oppenheimer explores his life in a non-linear order, making the timeline difficult to follow.