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Louis Slotin

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Scientist

The Resume

    (December 1, 1910-May 30, 1946)
    Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
    Physicist and chemist
    Participant in the Manhattan Project to build the first atomic bomb
    Accidentally created a critical mass when his grip slipped on a screwdriver separating two hemispheres of plutonium (May 21, 1946)
    Physically separated the hemispheres absorbing a lethal dose of radiation in the process

Why he might be annoying:

    He told people he had fought in the Spanish Civil War, but according to his brother he had merely gone 'on a walking tour of Spain.'
    His first job in nuclear chemistry paid so poorly, his father had to support him.
    Enrico Fermi disapproved of his risk taking and would reportedly leave the lab building whenever Slotin conducted experiments.
    Using a screwdriver to separate the plutonium hemispheres was a violation of the safety procedures.

Why he might not be annoying:

    At the University of Manitoba, he won gold medals for chemistry and physics.
    He was the university's bantamweight boxing champion.
    His prompt action in separating the two plutonium hemispheres was credited with saving the lives of seven other people in the lab.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 13 Votes: 92.31% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 9 Votes: 22.22% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 7 Votes: 28.57% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 4 Votes: 25.00% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 15 Votes: 46.67% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 23 Votes: 43.48% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 24 Votes: 58.33% Annoying
    In 2009, Out of 22 Votes: 45.45% Annoying
    In 2008, Out of 28 Votes: 42.86% Annoying