Enrico Fermi, an Italian physicist is remembered as the architect of the nuclear as the architect of the nuclear age.
Fermi discovered that uranium neutrons could be used to split other uranium atoms off a chain reaction that would release enormous amounts of energy.
In 1938, Fermi received the Nobel Prize in physics for his work on induced radioactivity by neutron bombardment and the discovery of transuranic elements.
His experiments led to the first controlled nuclear chain reaction in Chicago, on December 2nd, 1942. Subsequently, during World War II, Fermi became one of the principal leaders on the Manhattan Project, which focused on the development of the atomic bomb.
Fermi was also deeply interested in high-energy physics, and led investigations into the origin of cosmic rays, and theories on the fantastic energies present in cosmic ray particles. Element 100, fermium, is named in his honour.
