Of Martians, aerodynamics, and fathering the bomb

Bernstein replies: It’s good to learn more about the brilliant John von Neumann. He merits far more biographical work on his science, politics, and life, including his postwar political differences with J. Robert Oppenheimer, even though he supported Oppenheimer during the 1954 security hearing.

Edward Teller did not like to be called the “father” of the H-bomb. But he did want to be known, apart from Stanislaw Ulam, as the scientist who had devised the crucial breakthrough for the H-bomb.

We should ponder why Teller so energetically refused to be called the father of the H-bomb, and so jealously and unkindly sought to deny Ulam’s contribution. In his denial, Teller could seem modest, accept the acknowledgment of scientific “fatherhood,” playfully quibble about the term, and still avoid giving Ulam credit. My interpretation is speculative, of course, but it may make sense of an otherwise puzzling matter.

Teller’s behavior on this subject should remind us of Oppenheimer, who often claimed not to want to be known as the father of the A-bomb. But after Hiroshima, Oppenheimer was also frequently proud of his major role in the A-bomb’s creation.

Teller and Oppenheimer, two men who became fierce enemies, shared much in common, though their separate, virtually warring camps of admirers seldom acknowledge that. Von Neumann, whether or not he clearly saw the similarities, was flexible enough that he could maintain alliances with both men.