Richard L. Garwin: The Secretive Creator of the Hydrogen Bomb
Key Ideas
  • Richard L. Garwin, the creator of the hydrogen bomb, passed away at 97 in Scarsdale, New York, leaving behind a significant legacy.
  • His groundbreaking work on the hydrogen bomb remained secret for almost 50 years before receiving recognition for his contributions and prestigious awards.
  • Garwin's role in designing the world's first hydrogen bomb, code-named Ivy Mike, was acknowledged by Edward Teller after decades of secrecy.
  • Besides his work on the hydrogen bomb, Garwin had a successful career as a physicist, government consultant, and received top honors for his contributions to science and engineering.
Richard L. Garwin, the renowned physicist and creator of America's hydrogen bomb, passed away at the age of 97 in his home in Scarsdale, New York. Despite his significant contribution to the development of the hydrogen bomb, his involvement in this groundbreaking invention was kept secret for nearly 50 years. Garwin's pivotal role in designing the world's first hydrogen bomb, conducted as the experimental device Ivy Mike, was finally acknowledged by Edward Teller in 1981, after being concealed from the public eye for decades. This revelation led to Garwin gaining widespread recognition as the H-bomb's creator. Apart from his work on the hydrogen bomb, Garwin had a distinguished career as a physicist, contributing to various fields such as medical advancements and computer technology. He also served as a government consultant on national defense matters and advised numerous American Presidents throughout his career. Garwin's remarkable achievements were honored with prestigious awards, including the National Medal of Science in 2002 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016, highlighting his significant contributions to science and engineering.
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