Aashwasan Dahal
Julius Robert Oppenheimer born on April 22, 1904, in New York City, was an American theoretical physicist and one of the most significant figures in the development of nuclear weapons during World War II. He is often referred to as the “father of the atomic bomb.” Beyond his work on the Manhattan Project, Oppenheimer made significant contributions to quantum mechanics and theoretical physics.
Early Life and Education
Oppenheimer was raised in a wealthy Jewish family in New York. He displayed exceptional intellectual abilities from an early age and developed a passion for literature and science. He attended the Ethical Culture Fieldston School and later the prestigious Harvard College, where he studied chemistry and continued his interest in literature. After graduating with honors in 1925, he traveled to Europe to study at the University of Cambridge and the University of Göttingen, where he focused on quantum mechanics.
Academic Career
Upon returning to the United States, Oppenheimer earned his Ph.D. in physics from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in 1929. Throughout the 1930s, he held various academic positions and made significant contributions to theoretical physics. He worked at institutions such as the University of California, Berkeley, the California Institute of Technology, and the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton.
The Manhattan Project
When World War II erupted, Oppenheimer’s expertise in theoretical physics drew the attention of the U.S. government. In 1942, he was appointed the scientific director of the Manhattan Project, a top-secret initiative to develop an atomic bomb. Under his leadership, a team of scientists including Richard Feynmann worked at the Los Alamos Laboratory in New Mexico to design and build the first nuclear weapon.
Relationship with Eastern Civilization
He was highly influenced by the verse 32, chapter 11 of Bhagwat Geeta. After reading he said, “Now I am became the death, the destroyer, of the world.” Similarly Salil Gewali in his book Great Minds on India has clearly mentioned about him. According to him “The juxtaposition of Western civilization’s most terrifying scientific achievement with the most dazzling description of the mystical experience, given to us by the Bhagavad Gita, India’s greatest literary monument.”
The Atomic Bomb and Its Aftermath
On July 16, 1945, the successful Trinity test marked the first detonation of an atomic bomb. The weapon’s devastating power was demonstrated, and its use became a turning point in history. The United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945, leading to Japan’s surrender and the end of World War II.
Later Life and Legacy
After the war, Oppenheimer became a prominent advocate for international control of nuclear weapons and peaceful use of atomic energy. However, his political views and associations with leftist organizations during the 1930s and 1940s led to security clearance concerns during the McCarthy era. In 1954, he faced a security clearance hearing that resulted in the revocation of his security clearance. This event marked a significant setback for his career.
Robert Oppenheimer passed away on February 18, 1967, in Princeton, New Jersey, leaving behind a complex legacy as a brilliant physicist, key contributor to the development of nuclear weapons, and advocate for the responsible use of scientific knowledge. His work and legacy continue to shape the fields of physics and international politics to this day.
In Popular Culture
In 2023, a biographical film is made about him which is based on the book American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin. The film is directed by Christopher Nolan and the lead role is done by Cillian Murphy.
