The United States dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, Japan. This event demonstrated the destructive power of nuclear weapons developed during the Manhattan Project, in which Fermi played a crucial role.
The United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. This event demonstrated the destructive power of nuclear weapons developed during the Manhattan Project, in which Fermi played a crucial role.
Fermi observed the Trinity test, the first test of a full nuclear bomb explosion, at Alamogordo Bombing Range, New Mexico. He used his Fermi method to estimate the bomb's yield, showcasing his practical problem-solving skills.
The B Reactor at the Hanford Site, designed to breed plutonium, initially went critical but then shut down due to neutron poisoning from xenon-135. Fermi and his team later resolved the issue.
The X-10 Graphite Reactor at Oak Ridge, Tennessee, went critical. Fermi was present during this event, marking another milestone in the plutonium project for the Manhattan Project.
Chicago Pile-1, designed and built by Fermi's team at the University of Chicago, went critical. This was the first human-created, self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction, a pivotal moment in the development of nuclear technology.
Construction of Chicago Pile-1 began in the squash court under the stands of the University of Chicago's Stagg Field. This marked the physical start of building the first nuclear reactor.
The S-1 Section of the Office of Scientific Research and Development met, recognizing the urgency of atomic research due to the US entry into World War II. Arthur Compton determined that plutonium could be mass-produced in nuclear reactors.
In the basement of Pupin Hall at Columbia University, an experimental team including Fermi conducted the first nuclear fission experiment in the United States. This event followed the discovery of nuclear fission by Hahn and Strassmann.
Enrico Fermi arrived in New York City with his family, marking the start of his career in the United States after leaving Italy due to racial laws. He was immediately offered positions at five universities.
Enrico Fermi was appointed a member of the Royal Academy of Italy by Benito Mussolini. This was a significant honor at the time, but later he opposed Fascism.
Enrico Fermi married Laura Capon, a science student at the university. This event is significant as Laura's Jewish heritage would later influence Fermi's decision to leave Italy due to racial laws.
Enrico Fermi was born in Rome, Italy, to Alberto Fermi, a division head in the Ministry of Railways, and Ida de Gattis, an elementary school teacher. This marks the beginning of the life of one of the most influential physicists of the 20th century.
