The first atomic bombs were developed and built as part of the Manhattan Project, a research and development undertaking during World War II.
While it is impossible to credit a single individual with "making" the first bomb, as it was a collaborative effort involving numerous scientists, engineers, and other personnel, it's crucial to understand the key players and their roles:
- The United States: Led and funded the Manhattan Project.
- The United Kingdom and Canada: Collaborated closely with the United States on the project.
- Major General Leslie Groves: Was the military director of the Manhattan Project, responsible for its overall management and security from 1942 to 1946.
- J. Robert Oppenheimer: A theoretical physicist who served as the director of the Los Alamos Laboratory. This laboratory was the primary site for the design and construction of the atomic bombs.
Therefore, the "maker" of the first bomb was not one person, but rather a massive, coordinated project involving international collaboration and thousands of individuals, under the leadership of figures like Groves and Oppenheimer, and spearheaded by the United States. It was a team effort.
