Robert J. Oppenheimer (2024)

Robert J. Oppenheimer on the front of TIME magazinehttps://content.time.com/time/covers/0,16641,19540614,00.html

When someone is asked, who wrote E=mc2, most would say Albert Einstein. When someone is asked, who created the theory of gravity, most would say Isaac Newton. But if someone asked, who was the father of the atomic bomb, very few people would say Robert J. Oppenheimer. Oppenheimer lived a complex life, being a theoretical physicist during World War 2, and the Cold War. He was born to a wealthy New York family in 1904. He was interested in science at a young age, went to multiple colleges, graduating with prestigious degrees. At 37, he was the head of the top secret Manhattan Project. At 43, he headed the Atomic Energy Commission(Scribner’s Sons). Later in life, he was accused of giving classified secrets away to the enemy, but was found innocent. Oppenheimer used his bravery and selflessness to change the face of the modern world for the better, making him a hero.

Oppenheimer used his bravery to express his opinion against those who made decisions out of fear. In the 2006 biography, World of Physics, the author explains Oppenheimer's public opinion on thermonuclear weapons after the second World War. “As the 1940s drew to a close, President Truman decided that it was in the country's best interest to develop the hydrogen bomb. Oppenheimer's position was clear; he did not believe in the proliferation of nuclear weapons, and he did not hesitate to express his opinion in public. His position disturbed many of those in power in Washington. In November of 1953 William Borden, former executive director of Congress' Joint Atomic Energy Committee, sent a registered letter to J. Edgar Hoover of the FBI, stating he had considerable evidence to show that Oppenheimer was a Soviet agent. In December Oppenheimer was informed that his security clearance, which he needed to have access to classified information, was revoked on suspicion of unpatriotic activities on his part.”(World of Physics 15). Oppenheimer fought against the proliferation of nuclear weapons, when the second Red Scare was ongoing, making it dangerous to even question National Security. His classified information was revoked for him being “unpatriotic”, even though he was only voicing concern about a nuclear arms race. Later in life, Oppenheimer would regret his original decision to use the bomb to kill civilians. “Oppenheimer was one of a panel of four scientists including Ernest Orlando Lawrence, Enrico Fermi, and Arthur Compton that was asked to formulate an opinion regarding the use of the atomic bomb to end the war against Japan. They were told that there was a choice between a military invasion of Japan, which was certain to cost many American lives, and a nuclear attack on a military target that would also kill many civilians. Confronted with this choice, the panel voted to use the bomb. Oppenheimer later regretted his decision, saying that the intentional slaughter of civilians had been unnecessary and wrong.”(World of Physics). Oppenheimer regretted the decision, but his choice help saved many American lives, but at the cost of Japanese casualties in the hundreds of thousands. Oppenheimer used his bravery to help stop the deadliest war in history, and tried to stop an arms race, even at the expense of his career.Robert J. Oppenheimer in front of a photo of a hydrogen bombhttps://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/inside-the-centre-the-life-of-j-robert-oppenheimer-by-ray-monk-39pmdmscdzq

Oppenheimer used his selflessness to try and stop the nuclear arms race. In the AEC, he had very little support for a hydrogen bomb. “Of numerous committees on which Oppenheimer served thereafter, the most important was the AEC's nine-member General Advisory Committee (GAC), of which he was chairman. In October 1949, three months after the first Soviet atomic bomb test, the GAC was asked to consider whether the United States should undertake a crash program to develop a thermonuclear weapon. Its negative recommendation was not accepted by President Truman and was not made public. The episode emphasized the growing cleavage between advocates of large offensive nuclear weapons and advocates of more varied weaponry and tactics, as represented by Oppenheimer and the GAC. Oppenheimer's less than enthusiastic support of the hydrogen bomb program failed to mollify those who regarded him as leader of the opposition.”(Scribner's Sons). Even though there was backlash in Washington for his(and his peers) opinions on building a hydrogen bomb, Oppenheimer still stood strong, because he felt like he had a moral responsibility to make sure no more lives were lost to nuclear weapons. That responsibility made him also wanted to educate the public on these weapons. “As a result of his spectacular accomplishment with the atomic bomb, Oppenheimer was elevated to a position of extraordinary prestige and power in both the scientific and the political worlds. He became an international celebrity and governmental adviser, raising questions of conscience for the scientific community and arguing for United Nations (UN) control of nuclear weapons. In 1947, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, he gave a talk in which he made the comment that as a result of their development of the atomic bomb physicists had known sin and thus had a responsibility to help educate other scientists, politicians, and the public about the devastating power of these new weapons.”(Bederson). He wanted the UN to have control of the nukes, and said they(the atom bomb physicists) has the responsibility to make sure that the public was informed of these weapons. Oppenheimer wanted to stop the US from creating an arms race with the Soviet Union, even if it meant him later being investigated for treason.

Oppenheimer used bravery, and his selflessness to forever change the face of the world for the better. His heroic actions of stopping World War 2, and trying to stop an arms race makes him a hero. Oppenheimer was an inspiration to many of his fellow scientists, friends, and many more. He did what he thought was best for the world, even if it meant the deaths of the innocent in war, or stopping an arms race between superpowers. When the humanity finally possessed the energy of a star, Oppenheimer said this during the first test, “I am become Death, destroyer of worlds.”

Works Consulted

The beliefs, viewpoints and opinions expressed in this hero submission on the website are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the beliefs, viewpoints and opinions of The MY HERO Project and its staff.

I am an enthusiast with a deep understanding of the life and contributions of J. Robert Oppenheimer, demonstrating a thorough knowledge of the historical context surrounding his pivotal role in the development of the atomic bomb and his subsequent efforts to prevent a nuclear arms race. My expertise is grounded in various reputable sources, including biographies, historical accounts, and scientific references. Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:

Background and Early Life of Oppenheimer:
- Oppenheimer was born in 1904 to a wealthy New York family.
- Demonstrated an early interest in science and pursued education in prestigious colleges.
Manhattan Project and Atomic Energy Commission:
- At the age of 37, Oppenheimer led the top-secret Manhattan Project during World War II.
- At 43, he headed the Atomic Energy Commission.
- Oppenheimer played a crucial role in the development of the atomic bomb.
Oppenheimer's Stand Against Nuclear Proliferation:
- Oppenheimer opposed the development of the hydrogen bomb during the Truman era.
- Expressed his opinion publicly against the proliferation of nuclear weapons.
- Faced consequences, including the revocation of his security clearance, for being labeled "unpatriotic."
Regret Over the Use of Atomic Bombs:
- Oppenheimer, along with a panel of scientists, voted to use the atomic bomb to end the war against Japan.
- Later regretted the decision, acknowledging the unnecessary and wrong intentional slaughter of civilians.
Oppenheimer's Role in AEC and Hydrogen Bomb Debate:
- Oppenheimer chaired the AEC's General Advisory Committee.
- The committee recommended against a crash program to develop a thermonuclear weapon.
- Faced backlash for not strongly supporting the hydrogen bomb program.
Oppenheimer's Moral Responsibility and Advocacy:
- Oppenheimer felt a moral responsibility to prevent further loss of lives due to nuclear weapons.
- Advocated for United Nations control of nuclear weapons.
- Emphasized the responsibility of atomic bomb physicists to educate the public about the devastating power of these weapons.
Legacy and Public Perception of Oppenheimer:
- Oppenheimer's bravery and selflessness are highlighted as he played a pivotal role in ending World War II and attempted to prevent an arms race.
- Despite the controversial decisions and investigations, Oppenheimer remains an inspiration to many.
Quoting Oppenheimer's Reflection on the First Test:
- The article quotes Oppenheimer's famous words during the first test of the atomic bomb: "I am become Death, destroyer of worlds."
Works Consulted:
- The article provides a list of references, including biographical sources, dictionaries, and encyclopedias, demonstrating the use of diverse and reputable materials to support the narrative.

In summary, J. Robert Oppenheimer's life and contributions, as presented in the article, showcase his complex role as a scientist, leader, and advocate in the context of World War II and the subsequent Cold War era. His decisions and actions, marked by bravery and moral considerations, have left a lasting impact on the history of nuclear weapons and international relations.

FAQs

What did Oppenheimer say when the nuke went off? ›

Given his fascination with learning Sanskrit, it's commonly believed that Oppenheimer said, "Now I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" in the wake of the Trinity test.

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What was Oppenheimer's famous saying? ›

As he witnessed the first detonation of a nuclear weapon on July 16, 1945, a piece of Hindu scripture ran through the mind of J. Robert Oppenheimer: “Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.” It is, perhaps, the most well-known line from the Bhagavad Gita, but also the most misunderstood.

Who was the traitor in Oppenheimer? ›

In Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer, a fair amount is made of Klaus Fuchs, the German theoretical physicist who passed secrets from Los Alamos to the Soviet Union. But nowhere in this substantive blockbuster do we hear about Theodore Hall.

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Who betrayed Oppenheimer in the movie? ›

As we learn in the movie, one of the men behind destroying Oppenheimer's reputation was Lewis Strauss, played by Robert Downey Jr. in a career-best performance.

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Why was Oppenheimer banned in Japan? ›

Audiences in Japan will finally get to see Oppenheimer – Christopher Nolan's hit biopic about the creator of the nuclear bomb – following criticism that it was marketed in a way that trivialised the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

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What happened to Oppenheimer kids? ›

Soon after his father died, Peter permanently moved to northern New Mexico to live at a residence his father had purchased years earlier, the Perro Caliente ranch, according to the AHF. According to the AHF, Peter still lives in New Mexico working as a carpenter and has three children: Dorothy, Charles and Ella.

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What happened to Oppenheimer's daughter? ›

Two years after Robert's death in 1967, Toni was rejected from a role in the United Nations as a translator. She struggled to cope with losing her father, and her job, and after living on the island of St. John for a while, she died by suicide in January 1977, just a month after she turned 32.

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What did Oppenheimer say when he saw the bomb explode? ›

Oppenheimer's famous quote 'I am become Death' isn't really his. The ominous words come from Hindu scripture. J. Robert Oppenheimer watched the first atom bomb explode and thought, "Now I am become Death."

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How did Oppenheimer react to Hiroshima bombing? ›

The atomic bombings left Oppenheimer shattered: 'I have blood on my hands' The atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima had pulverized life and changed the world, and J. Robert Oppenheimer celebrated by clasping his hands like a prize fighter, soaking in the roaring applause from the crowd in Los Alamos, N.M.

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What Hiroshima residents think of Oppenheimer? ›

Another Hiroshima resident, Agemi Kanegae, had mixed feelings upon finally watching the movie. "The film was very worth watching," said the retired 65-year-old. "But I felt very uncomfortable with a few scenes, such as the trial of Oppenheimer in the United States at the end."

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