Leó Szilárd

Leó Szilárd was a Hungarian-American physicist instrumental in the development of nuclear science. He is best known for his role in the discovery of nuclear fission, a process where the nucleus of an atom splits into smaller parts, releasing a significant amount of energy. Szilárd conceived the idea of a nuclear chain reaction while working in the 1930s and advocated for the creation of atomic bombs during World War II. He was also concerned about the ethical implications of nuclear weapons and advocated for peaceful uses of nuclear energy, making significant contributions to both science and public policy.