Lost Women of Science
The Theoretical Physicist Who Worked With J. Robert Oppenheimer at the Dawn of the Nuclear Age
Apr 18, 2024
Meet Melba Phillips, a pioneering theoretical physicist who worked with J. Robert Oppenheimer. They discovered the Oppenheimer-Phillips Process, a key nuclear reaction explanation. Although Phillips opposed nuclear weapons, she faced adversity during the McCarthy era. Her resilient journey and impact in theoretical physics inspire.
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Quick takeaways
- Melba Phillips collaborated with Oppenheimer on the Oppenheimer-Phillips process, advancing understanding of nuclear reactions.
- Despite facing discrimination and job loss during McCarthy era, Phillips advocated for peaceful atomic energy use.
Deep dives
Melba Phillips' Journey to Physics
Melba Phillips, born with a natural aptitude for science, pursued physics despite initial setbacks in college without a major. She eventually obtained her master's degree in physics from Battle Creek College and had a transformative experience in a theoretical physics class at the University of Michigan, leading her to work with Oppenheimer.
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