Timeline of Nuclear Weapons

E=mc^2

1905

Einstein calculated the energy released in an atomic bomb with his famous equation.

Leo Szilard patents the idea of nuclear chain reaction

1934

Leo Szilard patents the idea of a nuclear chain reaction in London, which would be a main component of the nuclear bomb

Discovery of Nuclear Fission

1939

Lise Meitner and Otto Frisch discovered nuclear fission near Christmas time, which would be a key part of the nuclear bomb.

Roosevelt Approves Atomic Bomb

1941

Roosevelt received the cost for the creation of the atomic bomb and approved the project, making the United States the first country to attempt the creation of the atomic bomb

Trinity Test

Jul 16, 1945

The bomb known as "the gadget," marks the first use of a nuclear weapon in history. The test was conducted at Alamogordo, New Mexico.

Soviets test first atomic bomb

1949

The Soviets conduct their first nuclear bomb test. They called the bomb "First Lightning."

Americans create Nuclear Tipped Rockets

1953

The Americans tested their first nuclear tipped rocket, which brought a whole new level of warfare in the world.

Soviets detonate most powerful nuclear weapon ever

1961

The Soviet detonate "Tsar Bomba," the biggest nuclear weapon that has ever been used in a test.

China detonates hydrogen bomb

1967

China detonates first hydrogen bomb. Hydrogen bombs were very powerful weapon that strengthened China's arsenal.