Enrico Fermi Bio | The 100: Meet the Most Influential Persons in History

Enrico Fermi was a physicist of exceptional talent and versatility who made lasting contributions to the fields of nuclear physics, quantum mechanics, and statistical mechanics. He was born in Rome, Italy on September 29, 1901 and showed an early aptitude for mathematics and physics. He received his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Pisa in 1922, where he worked under the guidance of Professor Antonio Garbasso. After completing his Ph.D., Fermi worked at various institutions in Italy, including the University of Florence and the Royal Institute of Physics in Rome. He also spent a year at the Institute for Theoretical Physics in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he worked with the renowned physicist, Niels Bohr. In 1928, Fermi was appointed to a professorship at the University of Rome, where he quickly established himself as one of the leading physicists of his generation. In the 1930s, Fermi made several important contributions to the study of nuclear physics. He was the first to produce artificial radioactivity by bombarding heavy elements with slow neutrons, a discovery that opened up new avenues for research in nuclear physics. He also developed a theory of beta decay, which explained how unstable atomic nuclei emit electrons. In 1942, Fermi joined a team of scientists who were working on the Manhattan Project to develop the atomic bomb. He was responsible for designing and building the first nuclear reactor, known as the Chicago Pile-1. This achievement marked the birth of the atomic age and Fermi's role in its creation earned him the nickname the Architect of the Nuclear Age. The successful operation of the Chicago Pile-1 demonstrated that a controlled chain reaction was possible and paved the way for the development of larger and more powerful reactors. In the post-World War II era, Fermi continued his work in nuclear physics and made important contributions to the field of quantum mechanics. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1938 for his discovery of new radioactive elements produced by neutron bombardment. He also received numerous other honors and awards for his work, including the President's Certificate of Merit and the Enrico Fermi Award, which is presented annually by the U.S. Department of Energy to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the fields of energy research and development. Fermi died on November 28, 1954, at the age of 53, due to complications from stomach cancer. He was survived by his wife, Laura Capon, and two children, Julio and Nella. He is remembered as one of the most influential physicists of the 20th century and his legacy continues to shape the field of nuclear physics and beyond. Fermi's work on the Chicago Pile-1, his discovery of new radioactive elements, and his contributions to quantum mechanics are all considered major milestones in the history of physics.