Leo Szilard

About

Hungarian-US scientist who, in 1933, patented the idea of a nuclear reactor. He also conceived the cyclotron, the linear accelerator, and the electron microscope.

Before Fame

He won a national prize in mathematics at age 18.

Trivia

In 1939, he wrote a letter to Albert Einstein warning him of the danger that would result from Germany developing a atomic bomb before the US. This letter was later signed by both Einstein and FDR and resulted in the founding of the Manhattan Project, which produced the first atomic bomb.

Family Life

He married Getrud Weiss in 1951.

Associated With

In late 1939, he wrote the contract for Albert Einstein to help create the atomic bomb, which ultimately created the Manhattan Project.