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National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

George Cowan

ChemistLos Alamos, NM

Chicago, ILColumbia UniversityMarshall IslandsOak Ridge, TN
Hydrogen BombManhattan Project VeteranPacific Nuclear TestsPostwar Nuclear ProgramScientist
Listen to George Cowan’s Oral History on Voices of the Manhattan Project

George Cowan joined the Manhattan Project in 1942 at the Met Lab as a chemist for Enrico Fermi’s group, and also worked for Columbia University. He was also involved in Operation Crossroads after the war.

George Cowan’s Timeline
1941 Received his Bachelor’s degree.

1942 May Went to work at the Met Lab under Herb Anderson.

19501952 Helped develop the first thermonuclear device.

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