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World’s 1st nuclear bomb founder dies |
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July 18, 2000
CANBERRA (AP) - Australian physicist Sir Mark Oliphant, who helped lay the foundations for the world's first nuclear bomb before turning against weapons of mass destruction, has died, his family announced Monday. He was 98. The family said Oliphant died Friday following a short illness, but did not elaborate. As a young physicist at the Cavendish Laboratory at Britain's Cambridge University, Oliphant worked with the team that split the atom in 1932. Oliphant later led a team of British scientists who traveled to the United States in 1943 to assist with the Manhattan Project which was working to develop the atomic bomb. But, profoundly shocked at the use by the United States of nuclear weapons against Japan in 1945, he turned his focus to promoting peaceful uses of nuclear power. His part in the development of the bomb haunted Oliphant throughout life, his biographer, David Ellyard, told Australian Broadcasting Corp. Radio. "There was that pride of achievement and shame of being associated with it," Ellyard said. "Those contradictions, I think, remained with him until the end." Oliphant once described himself as a "war criminal" for his role in the development of the atomic bomb. Ahead of World War II, Oliphant also worked on research into radar, successfully developing the cavity magnetron, which allowed radars to be built small enough to fit in aircraft. Descendants of that device now form the basis of microwave ovens. Oliphant returned to Australia in 1950, continuing his research in the capital, Canberra. He was a founder of the Australian Academy of Science. In recognition of his achievements, Oliphant was appointed governor of South Australia state, serving from 1971 to 1976. He maintained an interest in science, traveling and lecturing in Australia and overseas on topics such as nuclear disarmament, the environment and alternative energy. He is survived by his daughter, Vivian Wilson, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. A private family memorial service and cremation were held Monday. |