Oppenheimer
[ ŏp′ən-hī′mər ]
American physicist who directed the Los Alamos, New Mexico, laboratory during the development of the first atomic bomb (1942-1945). After World War II, he became an advocate for the peaceful use of atomic energy and opposed the development of the hydrogen bomb.
Cultural definitions for oppenheimer, j. robert
Oppenheimer, J. Robert
[ (op-uhn-heye-muhr) ]
An American physicist of the twentieth century. Oppenheimer led the research and development of the atomic bomb (see also atomic bomb) and was head of the Manhattan Project.
notes for Oppenheimer, J. Robert
In the early 1950s, Oppenheimer's opposition to building the
hydrogen bomb and his past association with
leftists led to a hearing regarding his security clearance. Although the committee found that he was a “loyal citizen,” his security clearance was not restored, and he was barred from government research. Oppenheimer's chief opponent in the scientific community at this time was Edward
Teller.