Teller, Edward
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born on | 15 January 1908 | ||||
Place | Budapest, Hungary, 47n30, 19e05 | ||||
Timezone | MET h1e (is standard time) | ||||
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Astrology data | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Biography
Hungarian-American theoretical physicist, known colloquially as "the father of the hydrogen bomb", even though he claimed he did not care for the title. Teller made numerous contributions to nuclear and molecular physics, spectroscopy (the Jahn–Teller and Renner–Tellereffects), and surface physics. His extension of Fermi's theory of beta decay (in the form of the so-called Gamow–Teller transitions) provided an important stepping stone in the applications of this theory. The Jahn–Teller effect and the BET theory have retained their original formulation and are still mainstays in physics and chemistry. Teller also made contributions to Thomas–Fermi theory, the precursor of density functional theory, a standard modern tool in the quantum mechanical treatment of complex molecules.
Teller emigrated to the United States in 1935, and was an early member of the Manhattan Project charged with developing the first atomic bombs. During this time he made a serious push to develop the first fusion-based weapons as well, but these were deferred until after World War II. After his controversial testimony in the security clearance hearing of his former Los Alamos colleague J. Robert Oppenheimer, Teller was ostracized by much of the scientific community. He continued to find support from the U.S. government and military research establishment, particularly for his advocacy for nuclear energy development, a strong nuclear arsenal, and a vigorous nuclear testing program. He was a co-founder of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), and was both its director and associate director for many years.
In his later years he became especially known for his advocacy of controversial technological solutions to both military and civilian problems, including a plan to excavate an artificial harbor in Alaska using thermonuclear explosive in what was calledProject Chariot. He was a vigorous advocate of Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative. Throughout his life, Teller was known both for his scientific ability and his difficult interpersonal relations and volatile personality.
He never won Nobel prize. Among the honors he received were the Albert Einstein Award, the Enrico Fermi Award, the Corvin Chain and the National Medal of Science. He was also named as part of the group of "U.S. Scientists" who were Time magazine's People of the Year in 1960, and an asteroid, 5006 Teller, is named after him. He was awarded with the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush less than two months before his death.
Teller died in Stanford, California on 9 September 2003, at the age of 95.
Relationships
- business associate/partner relationship with von Neumann, John (born 28 December 1903)
- friend relationship with Wigner, Eugene (born 17 November 1902)
Events
Source Notes
Birth time unknown. Starkman rectified it to 0.55.12 CET
Categories
- Traits : Personality : Stubborn/ Steadfast
- Personal : Death : Long life more than 80 yrs (Age 95)
- Vocation : Science : Physics
- Notable : Awards : Other Awards (Presidential Medal of Freedom)
- Notable : Famous : First in Field
- Notable : Famous : Historic figure ("the father of the hydrogen bomb")
- Notable : Famous : Top 5% of Profession
- 1908 births
- Birthday 15 January
- Birthplace Budapest, HUN
- Sun 23 Capricorn
- 2003 deaths
- Traits : Personality : Stubborn/ Steadfast
- Personal : Death : Long life more than 80 yrs
- Vocation : Science : Physics
- Notable : Awards : Other Awards
- Notable : Famous : First in Field
- Notable : Famous : Historic figure
- Notable : Famous : Top 5% of Profession