/
Article

Szilard as Inventor: Accelerators and More

OCT 01, 2000
In his Berlin and London days between the world wars, Leo Szilard thought about household refrigerators and nuclear chain reactions. He also invented many of the central features of the accelerators that would take the study of nuclear and particle physics to high energies.
Valentine L. Telegdi

It is little appreciated, even in William Lanouette’s excellent biography, that Leo Szilard worked as a professional inventor during most of his scientific career, constantly filing patent applications that covered an astonishingly large range of novel ideas.

This article is only available in PDF format

More about the authors

Valentine L. Telegdi, University of Chicago.

Related content
/
Article
Detecting quantum particles of gravity was long considered hopeless. A new perspective, which takes advantage of quantum technologies, suggests that an experimental realization may be closer than previously thought.
/
Article
As higher-education programs compete for a shrinking pool of students, departments must better communicate the value that a physics major brings.
/
Article
Three physicists give a firsthand account of disarmament efforts in the 1980s and 1990s.
/
Article
Researchers don’t need to do science engagement alone. Working with professionals makes the job easier and more effective and can lead to better science.
This Content Appeared In
pt-cover_2000_10.jpeg

Volume 53, Number 10

Get PT newsletters in your inbox

pt_newsletter_card_blue.png
PT The Week in Physics

A collection of PT's content from the previous week delivered every Monday.

pt_newsletter_card_darkblue.png
PT New Issue Alert

Be notified about the new issue with links to highlights and the full TOC.

pt_newsletter_card_pink.png
PT Webinars & White Papers

The latest webinars, white papers and other informational resources.

By signing up you agree to allow AIP to send you email newsletters. You further agree to our privacy policy and terms of service.