Edward Teller (Hungarian: Teller Ede; January 15, 1908 – September 9, 2003) was a Hungarian-born American theoretical physicist who, although he claimed he did not care for the title, is known colloquially as "the father of the hydrogen bomb". He made numerous contributions to nuclear and molecular physics, spectroscopy (in particular, the Jahn–Teller and Renner–Teller effects) and surface physics. His extension of Enrico Fermi's theory of beta decay, in the form of the so-called Gamow–Teller transitions, provided an important stepping stone in its application, while the Jahn–Teller effect and the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (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. In 1953, along with Nicholas Metropolis and Marshall Rosenbluth, Teller co-authored a paper which is a standard starting point for the applications of the Monte Carlo method to statistical mechanics.Teller immigrated to the United States in the 1930s, 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, Teller 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 called Project 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, and is considered one of the inspirations for the character Dr. Strangelove in the 1964 movie of the same name.
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Leipzig University
Spouse
Augusta Maria Harkanyi
Parents
Ilona Teller, Max Teller
Siblings
Emma Teller
Awards
Enrico Fermi Award, Presidential Medal of Freedom, National Medal of Science for Physical Science, Albert Einstein Award, Harvey Prize in Science and Technology
Star Sign
Capricorn
#
Fact
1
Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume 7, 2003-2005, pages 534-537. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2007.
2
He was one of the hundreds of scientists called to Los Alamos, New Mexico during the second world war to work on The Manhattan Project to develop an atomic bomb before the Germans.
3
He and his wife became American citizens in 1941.
4
Played Major role in development of the Hydrogen Bomb (With Stanislaw Ulam, developed the Ulam-Teller design which used a fission bomb to create a larger fusion reaction in heavy hydrogen)
5
Advisor to Ronald Reagan during his Presidency, was major proponent of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI or "Star Wars")
6
Physicist; led team developing the Atom bomb.
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Dr. Teller's Very Large Bomb
2006
TV Movie documentary
The Cold War and Beyond
2002
Documentary
Himself
Modern Marvels
1999-2002
TV Series documentary
Himself - Physicist / Himself: Physicist / Co-Creator Hydrogen Bomb
Nuclear Dynamite
2000
Documentary
Himself
The Century
1999
TV Mini-Series documentary
Himself (segment "The Race")
American Experience
1999
TV Series documentary
Himself
The Fifties
1997
TV Mini-Series documentary
Himself - Scientist
Trinity and Beyond: The Atomic Bomb Movie
1995
Video documentary
Himself - Nuclear Physicist (as Dr. Edward Teller)
Hiroshima
1995
TV Movie
Himself - Testimonial Interviewee
Fast Copy
1985
TV Movie
Himself
The Levin Interviews
1984
TV Series
Himself
Firing Line
1980
TV Series
Himself
Day at Night
1974
TV Series
Himself - Guest
The Dick Cavett Show
1972
TV Series
Himself - Dr. Teller
Zur Person
1966
TV Series
Himself
CBS Reports
1962
TV Series documentary
Himself
The Mike Douglas Show
1962
TV Series
Himself - Dr. Teller / the Father of the H-Bomb
Small World
1960
TV Series
Himself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Coming War on China
2016
Documentary
Himself - 'Father' of the H-bomb
All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace
2011
TV Mini-Series documentary
Himself
Sputnik Fever
2007
Documentary
Himself (uncredited)
Pandora's Box
1992
TV Mini-Series documentary
Himself
Executive Action
1973
Himself - Testifies Against Test Ban Treaty (uncredited)