Oppenheimer timeline: the man, the history, the movie

Until recently, most of us had barely heard of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the “father of the atomic bomb“. This was bound to change when the movie “Oppenheimer” stormed the box office in the summer of 2023.

“Oppenheimer” unveils the lesser-known, utterly dramatic story of J. Robert Oppenheimer in a captivating blend of history and suspense. In what follows, we’ll explore the intertwined narratives offering insights into the complex worlds of science, culture, and history: J. Robert Oppenheimer’s life story, the movie’s timeline, and the history of the Manhattan Project.

J. Robert Oppenheimer timeline: key milestones

J. Robert Oppenheimer was a brilliant theoretical physicist. While his contributions to the field of nuclear physics and the broader scientific community were outstanding, his most renowned achievement was directing the development of the atomic bomb during World War II as part of the Manhattan Project.

This feat earned him both acclaim and condemnation. His intriguing personality and life choices set him on a path defined by contention and fascination that still fuels debates and intense scrutiny today.

Let’s briefly delve into the life story and events that marked the path of this remarkable and often misjudged man with this visual representation of his life and career timeline:

Here’s a quick walk through the major milestones in the scientist’s life and career:

• April 22, 1904 – J. Robert Oppenheimer is born in New York City, into a well-off family.
• 1916 – After advanced correspondence with the New York Mineralogical Club, the Society invites him to deliver a lecture—not realizing that Robert was a twelve-year-old boy.
• 1921 – Graduates as valedictorian from the Ethical Culture School of New York.
• 1925 – Graduates from Harvard summa cum laude (BA in Chemistry), aged 21, after only three years of study.
• 1925 – Begins his graduate work in physics at Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge.
• 1926 – Moves from Cambridge to the University of Göttingen to study under Max Born.
• 1927 – Earns his doctorate in Physics from the University of Göttingen at age 23.
• 1936 – Becomes a full professor at the University of California, Berkeley.
• 1936 – Becomes involved with Jean Tatlock.
• 1940 – Marries Katherine “Kitty” Puening.
• 1941 – First child, Peter, is born.
• 1942 – Is recruited to work on the Manhattan Project, which became a $2 billion endeavor to build an atomic bomb ahead of the Nazis.
• 1943 – Appointed director of the project’s Los Alamos Laboratory in New Mexico.
• 1944 – Second child, Katherine (“Toni”), is born in Los Alamos.
• 1944 – Tatlock takes her own life on January 4th. Oppenheimer is deeply grieved.
• 1945 – In July, he witnesses the first test of the atomic bomb, Trinity.
• 1945 – In August, the weapons were deployed in the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, marking the sole instance of nuclear weapon use in an armed conflict. This critical moment left Oppenheimer grappling with profound ethical dilemmas and set him on a path that would ultimately lead him to advocate for international control and responsible handling of nuclear technology.
• 1945 – In October, he resigns as director of Los Alamos Laboratory, accepting a post at CalTech.
• 1946 – Receives the Presidential Medal of Merit.
• 1947 – Becomes the director of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey.
• 1947 – Is appointed as the Chairman of the General Advisory Committee of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. He lobbies for international control of nuclear power to avert nuclear proliferation.
• 1953 – His security clearance is revoked by the US Atomic Energy Commission, just 32 hours before it was set to expire.
• 1957 – France appoints Oppenheimer an officer of the Legion of Honor.
• 1962 – Is elected as a Foreign Member of the Royal Society.
• 1963 – Receives the Enrico Fermi Award. His reputation is partially rehabilitated.
• February 18, 1967 – Passes away in Princeton, New Jersey, aged 62.

Some of his lesser known, yet significant accomplishments, often tend to be overshadowed by his prominent role in the development of the atomic bomb. Yet, they round Oppenheimer's image by filling in the details that made him such a complex figure in history:

• Contributions to theoretical physics. In a nutshell, Oppenheimer’s contributions were essential in advancing quantum mechanics and astrophysics, co-developing the first theoretical models for neutron stars and black holes, fundamentally shaping our understanding of these celestial objects.
• Academic pursuits. His academic career was marked by excellence. He held prestigious positions at renowned institutions.
• Political engagement and public service. Oppenheimer advocated for responsible scientific research and nuclear arms control and public service.

The Oppenheimer movie timeline

The epic biographical drama, “Oppenheimer” (2023), directed by Christopher Nolan, is based on the 2005 Pulitzer Prize-winning biography “American Prometheus” by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin. The film explores Oppenheimer’s career, emphasizing his work on the Manhattan Project and his downfall after a 1954 security hearing.

Beyond the story, the movie aims to capture the profound drama and complexity of Oppenheimer’s life, both in his professional role as a central figure in the development of the atomic bomb and in his personal struggles. Kai Bird himself described Oppenheimer as “a tortured soul”, someone who often felt deep emotional pain and didn’t experience much happiness in his life.

The film focuses on immersing the audience in Oppenheimer’s perspective, allowing them to experience his journey with empathy rather than judgment, culminating with the profound inner torment he endured after witnessing the devastating consequences of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings.

Oppenheimer’s awareness of his destructive role weighs heavily on him, as epitomized by the iconic phrase, “Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.” This moment captures the profound moral and existential crisis he faced, coming to terms with the awesome destructive power he had helped unleash upon the world.

For artistic reasons, the events in the movie are presented in an unordered sequence that explores various perspectives and lacks a clear temporal structure. To untangle the chronology, we have created a concise timeline with the Office Timeline tool, highlighting the key milestones in the movie. You'll also find additional information for each item right below the timeline.

• 1924-1926: Oppenheimer studies physics at Cambridge
• 1926-1927: Studies at the University of Göttingen in Germany
• 1927: Earns his PhD in physics from the University of Göttingen
• 1929-1943: “Oppie” teaches at the University of California, Berkeley
• 1942-1945: Works in the Manhattan Project
  • January 4, 1944: Jean Tatlock takes her own life
  • July 16, 1945: Trinity test
  • August 1945: Hiroshima and Nagasaki
  • October 1945: Meets with President Truman
• 1947: Oppie is appointed as director of the Institute of Advanced Studies at Princeton
• 1949: Congressional Hearing & AEC emergency meeting
• April-May 1954: Security clearance hearing
• 1953: Letter against Oppenheimer
• 1959: Lewis Strauss’ Senate hearing
• 1963: Oppenheimer receives the Fermi Award from President Johnson

As promised, here are some supplementary details aimed at enhancing clarity and providing a comprehensive understanding of the circumstances:

• 1924-1926: Cambridge. Oppenheimer studies physics at Cambridge (two terms). This is where he contemplates using a poisoned apple to harm his tutor, Patrick Blackett. And this is when he attended Bohr’s lecture, followed by his departure to Germany (University of Göttingen).
• 1926-1927: Studies at the University of Göttingen in Germany. Oppenheimer starts to establish a significant reputation in the fields of theoretical physics and quantum mechanics. He meets Heisenberg while studying abroad. (Heisenberg was a leading scientist in the Nazi nuclear weapons program during World War II. He published his quantum mechanics theory in 1925. For his theory and its applications that led to the discovery of hydrogen’s allotropic forms, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1932.)
• 1927: PhD in physics. Earns his doctorate in physics from the University of Göttingen, Germany.
• 1929-1943: University of California, Berkeley. “Oppie” teaches at Berkeley. During this period, Oppenheimer delves into astrophysics and collaborates with Lawrence’s Radiation Laboratory, contributing to several breakthroughs. In 1936, he assumes a full-time professorship at Berkeley. Also, during this time, he gets involved with Jean Tatlock (1936), but then marries Katharine “Kitty” Puening (1940).
• 1942-1945: Work in the Manhattan Project. In September 1942, Gen. Leslie Groves recruits Oppenheimer to work on the Manhattan project, then appoints him the project’s director in 1943. This marks the onset of the most significant phase in Oppenheimer’s life. Together with Groves, he assembles a team of scientists and establishes the Los Alamos base of operations. Among the scientists in the team were the Nobel laureates: Enrico Fermi (Nobel year: 1938), Niels Bohr (Nobel year: 1922), Ernest Lawrence (Nobel year: 1939), Isidor Isaac Rabi (Nobel year: 1944), Richard Feynman (Nobel year: 1965) and many more, together with tens of other brilliant scientific minds of the time. Over these three years, Oppenheimer dedicates himself to the Manhattan Project, ultimately achieving the creation of the first atomic bomb. During this time, the movie highlights several critical milestones in Oppenheimer’s life that have a lasting impact on him:
  • January 4, 1944: After battling clinical depression, Jean Tatlock tragically takes her own life, leaving Oppenheimer deeply bereaved.
  • July 16, 1945: Trinity test. The most significant event in the Oppenheimer movie’s timeline unfolds on July 16, 1945, during the Trinity test. This crucial nuclear weapon test occurred early in the morning after a delay due to adverse weather conditions. On that day, after the successful detonation of the Gadget, Trinity officially confirmed the successful creation of the first functional atomic bomb by Oppenheimer and his team of scientists.
  • August 1945: Hiroshima and Nagasaki. After the successful atomic bomb tests and discussions with government officials regarding their deployment, Oppenheimer and his colleagues were informed about the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The first bomb struck Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and the second hit Nagasaki three days later, on August 9. The movie portrays the haunting aftermath of these events, juxtaposed with Oppenheimer’s speech to the Manhattan Project team, where he expressed regret that the bombs hadn’t been ready in time for use against the Nazis in Germany.
  • October 1945: Meets with President Truman. Following the atomic bombings in Japan and the end of World War II, Oppenheimer met with President Harry S. Truman in October 1945, about three months later. During this meeting, Oppenheimer admitted to feeling responsible for the consequences, causing the President’s anger to flare.
• 1947: Director of the Institute of Advanced Studies at Princeton. Lewis Strauss, as a trustee at Princeton’s Institute for Advanced Study, extended an offer to Oppenheimer to become its director. The movie shows a scene by the pond where Oppenheimer converses with Albert Einstein during this period. Subsequently, Oppenheimer accepts the position and remains at Princeton for several years.
• 1949: Congressional Hearing & AEC emergency meeting
  • June 1949: A Congressional Hearing on isotope exportation becomes a turning point when Oppenheimer humiliates Lewis Strauss, a commissioner of the Atomic Energy Commission, and their rivalry intensifies.
  • August 1949: After Soviet Union’s atomic bomb test, there is an emergency AEC meeting to evaluate the Soviet Union’s nuclear threat. Strauss and Oppenheimer both attend the meeting during which AEC General Manager Kenneth Nichols accuses Oppenheimer of leaking Manhattan Project information to the Soviets, sparking a conflict.
• 1950: The movie briefly mentions that in January 1950 Truman approves the development of the hydrogen bomb. Teller is appointed to lead this process.
• 1953: Letter against Oppenheimer. William Borden accuses Oppenheimer of being a communist and a security threat after receiving the FBI’s file from Kenneth Nichols and Lewis Strauss. This leads to President Eisenhower restricting Oppenheimer’s clearance. Oppenheimer appeals the decision and requests a reinstatement hearing.
• April-May 1954: Security clearance hearing. The AEC conducts a confidential hearing on Oppenheimer’s security clearance from April to May 1954. In a small meeting room, Oppenheimer and others, including Leslie Groves, Isador Rabi, and Edward Teller, were questioned by Roger Robb about their past actions. The hearing concluded with Oppenheimer’s security clearance remaining revoked.
• 1959: Lewis Strauss’ Senate hearing. In 1959, Lewis Strauss faces a Senate hearing to become the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, nominated by Eisenhower. After a 16-day process, the Senate’s rejection marked a significant blow to Strauss’s political career.
• 1963: Fermi Award. The movie concludes with J. Robert Oppenheimer receiving the Enrico Fermi Award, a lifetime achievement scientific medal, from President Johnson, having been initially awarded by John F. Kennedy.

(Credits for info included in this timeline: Screen Rant.)

The Manhattan Project timeline

Oppenheimer’s story is about managing one of history’s most crucial projects. It’s a tale of handling a massive, high-stakes task with the potential to change the world, involving science, resources, and politics.

The Manhattan Project (June 18, 1942 – August 25, 1947), a top-secret research and development initiative during World War II, was already in progress prior to J. Robert Oppenheimer’s involvement. It’s worth noting that the Manhattan Project’s scope and scale were more extensive than commonly believed.

This project, which aimed to develop the world’s first atomic bomb before the Nazis did, involved numerous scientists, engineers, and facilities spread across multiple locations. It absorbed not only substantial financial resources ($2 billion dollars), but also a tremendous amount of scientific and engineering talent, making it one of the most ambitious and consequential scientific endeavors in history.

The lasting impact of the Manhattan Project is still present today, in ongoing discussions related to nuclear technology, ethical concerns, and global security.

To offer a deeper insight into the movie’s dynamics, we did a little research on the historical context and the key events and milestones that marked the Manhattan Project. Below is a concise downloadable timeline of the Manhattan Project, complemented by additional insight on events that had an impact on its development:

These are, in a nutshell, the main events and periods that draw the timeline of the Manhattan Project:

• 1890s-1939: Atomic discoveries
• 1939-1941: Government support in times of war
• 1942: Milestone year in the Manhattan Project
• 1943-1944: Progress on the uranium and plutonium paths
• 1945: Key events concluding WWII
• 1946-1947: Atomic Energy Act. Closure of the Manhattan Project

Let’s explore its story, point by point.

• 1890s-1939: Atomic discoveries

In 1897, the English physicist J. J. Thomson discovered the electron. Between 1890 and 1919, scientists delved into atomic exploration, envisioning it as a tiny solar system (electrons orbit an atom’s nucleus). In 1932, James Chadwick (Cambridge), completed the atomic model by identifying the third basic particle: the neutron. The 1930s brought significant insights as scientists bombarded the atom with sub-atomic particles. In December 1938, German physicists Otto Hahn, Lise Meitner and Fritz Strassman discover nuclear fission, a  discovery that would make its way to America in 1939.

• 1939-1941: Government support in times of war

1. In 1939 (August 2), Albert Einstein’s letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, warning of Nazi Germany’s efforts to create an atomic weapon, marked a crucial moment. It spurred early uranium research and investigations into piles and plutonium (1939-1941).
2. World War II commenced on September 1, 1939, with Nazi Germany’s invasion of Poland. The United States entered the war following Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Within days, on December 8 and 11, 1941, the U.S. declared war on Japan, Germany, and Italy, reciprocating their earlier declarations of war against the United States.
3. The influential MAUD Report in 1941 paved the way for the decision to build the atomic bomb, marking the start of a decisive era.

• 1942: Milestone year in the Manhattan Project

1. By early 1942, amid U.S. defeats in the Pacific, President Roosevelt approves the creation of the atomic bomb. The Manhattan Engineer District (MED) was officially established on June 18, with Brigadier General Leslie Groves appointed as its head in September.
2. In September 1942, Groves recruits Oppenheimer to work on the Manhattan Project. The same month, Groves approved Oak Ridge as a secret uranium enrichment site, while the construction of the first experimental nuclear reactor, the Chicago Pile (CP-1), began in November at the University of Chicago.
3. On November 25, Groves greenlights the classified Los Alamos location for atomic bomb research and construction, where Oppenheimer assembles a team of brilliant scientists.
4. In December, the nuclear reactor CP-1 reaches criticality. That is, CP-1 achieved a self-sustaining chain reaction, demonstrating the feasibility of producing a controlled nuclear chain reaction and providing the scientific basis for designing and building a weapon of unprecedented destructive power.

• 1943-1944: Progress on the uranium and plutonium paths

From 1943 to 1944, the Manhattan Project progressed along the uranium path with the Y-12 facility’s construction and Oak Ridge’s X-10 Graphite Reactor, the world’s first full-scale reactor, achieving criticality. In 1943, Oppenheimer is appointed as the project’s director. During this period, Hanford, WA, was approved for plutonium production. In 1944, amidst the Allies’ D-Day success, Hanford’s B Reactor also reached criticality, marking significant strides in plutonium production.

• 1945: Key events concluding WWII

1. In 1945, the Manhattan Project reached its climax.
2. President Roosevelt dies. His successor, Harry Truman, becomes aware of the Manhattan Project’s existence.
3. On May 7, Nazi Germany surrendered.
4. On July 16, the Gadget, the world’s first atomic test device, successfully detonates at the Trinity Site.
5. The Potsdam Declaration (July 26) warned Japan of “prompt and utter destruction” if they did not surrender. During a press conference, Japanese Prime Minister Suzuki Kantarō responded to the ultimatum using the word “mokusatsu” (meaning “treat with silent contempt”, but also “withhold comment”), which was interpreted as a rejection of the declaration, an interpretation that remains highly controversial to this day. This ultimately led to the decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima (August 6) and Nagasaki (August 9), resulting in the deaths and injuries of hundreds of thousands. Japan announced its plan to surrender on August 14 and formally signed the Instrument of Surrender on September 2, 1945. This officially ended World War II.
6. In October 1945, Oppenheimer resigns as director of Los Alamos Laboratory.

• 1946-1947: Atomic Energy Act. Closure of the Manhattan Project

On August 1, 1946, President Truman signed the Atomic Energy Act, creating the Atomic Energy Commission, which shifts the U.S. nuclear program from military to civilian control. By January 1947, the Atomic Energy Commission had taken over the Manhattan Engineer District. Then, on August 25, 1947, the Manhattan Engineer District was formally dissolved, officially marking the end of the Manhattan Project.

[Data based on the information provided by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Scientific and Technical Information and the U.S. National Park Service.]

Closing thoughts

As we wrap up our brief exploration of the life and career of J. Robert Oppenheimer and the events that shaped history at the time, we find ourselves enriched with a deeper appreciation for the individual who reshaped the course of science and the film that brings his story to life. His life unfolded in sync with tumultuous historical events, artfully captured by Christopher Nolan’s cinematic vision.

Debates and controversy have been surrounding this movie and its central character. Some argue that it lacks complete historical accuracy, while others contend that Nolan should have delved further into the narrative.

Then, there are those who question why the film doesn’t provide a more in-depth exploration of the central tragedy that serves as the primary catalyst for all the drama – the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings were only briefly referenced.

According to Nolan, the movie was intended to be viewed as a historical drama rather than an educational film. In his words, Oppenheimer “is not a documentary. It is an interpretation. […] I think it’s narrative dramatic filmmaking. […] To me, it’s really about staying in his [Oppenheimer’s] head.”

Nonetheless, if nothing else, the movie motivates the audience to engage in a deeper exploration of the historical realities of that era. This curiosity, in turn, stimulates a more profound understanding of the significant events surrounding the Manhattan Project and the Cold War, positioning the film as a catalyst for historical curiosity.

About the Oppenheimer timelines

We hope our timelines succeeded in offering more insight and a clearer view of the facts and events surrounding Oppenheimer’s remarkable life.

The timelines were created using the Office Timeline PowerPoint add-in, a powerful and user-friendly tool that can quickly transform complex data into visually appealing representations. You can download the timelines as PowerPoint files for free and further customize them using the 14-day free trial, which offers additional features for a more sophisticated output.

FAQ about Oppenheimer and the Manhattan Project

In our quest for the truth that surrounded the events related to Oppenheimer and the Manhattan project, we found answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Oppenheimer’s life and work: