Walter Henry Zinn
Encyclopedia
Walter Henry Zinn was a nuclear physicist at the University of Chicago Metallurgical Laboratory.
, and is credited with starting the world’s first self-sustaining nuclear reaction by withdrawing a control rod from the world’s first nuclear reactor on December 2, 1942 at the University of Chicago.
Born in Canada, Zinn graduated from Queen’s University with a mathematics degree, and went on to do his Ph.D. in nuclear physics at Columbia University
. He graduated in 1934.
After his work on the Manhattan Project, he became the director of the Argonne National Laboratory
from 1946-1956. He developed and built several new reactor designs, including Experimental Breeder Reactor I
- the first nuclear reactor to produce electric power on December 20, 1951.
In 1955 Zinn was elected as the first president of the American Nuclear Society
(ANS).
Zinn received multiple awards for his work, including a special commendation from the United States Atomic Energy Commission
(1956), the Atoms for Peace Award
(1960), the Enrico Fermi Award
(1969), and the Elliott Cresson Medal
from The Franklin Institute (1970).
(ANS), Operations and Power Division, annually awards their "Walter H. Zinn Award" to recognize an individual "for a notable and sustained contribution to the nuclear power industry that has not been widely recognized." This award was created in 1976.
Life and work
Zinn worked on the Manhattan ProjectManhattan Project
The Manhattan Project was a research and development program, led by the United States with participation from the United Kingdom and Canada, that produced the first atomic bomb during World War II. From 1942 to 1946, the project was under the direction of Major General Leslie Groves of the US Army...
, and is credited with starting the world’s first self-sustaining nuclear reaction by withdrawing a control rod from the world’s first nuclear reactor on December 2, 1942 at the University of Chicago.
Born in Canada, Zinn graduated from Queen’s University with a mathematics degree, and went on to do his Ph.D. in nuclear physics at Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
. He graduated in 1934.
After his work on the Manhattan Project, he became the director of the Argonne National Laboratory
Argonne National Laboratory
Argonne National Laboratory is the first science and engineering research national laboratory in the United States, receiving this designation on July 1, 1946. It is the largest national laboratory by size and scope in the Midwest...
from 1946-1956. He developed and built several new reactor designs, including Experimental Breeder Reactor I
Experimental Breeder Reactor I
Experimental Breeder Reactor I is a decommissioned research reactor and U.S. National Historic Landmark located in the desert about southeast of Arco, Idaho. At 1:50 pm on December 20, 1951 it became the world's first electricity-generating nuclear power plant when it produced sufficient...
- the first nuclear reactor to produce electric power on December 20, 1951.
In 1955 Zinn was elected as the first president of the American Nuclear Society
American Nuclear Society
The American Nuclear Society is an international, not-for-profit 501 scientific and educational organization with a membership of approximately 11,000 scientists, engineers, educators, students, and other associate members. Approximately 900 members live outside the United States in 40 countries....
(ANS).
Zinn received multiple awards for his work, including a special commendation from the United States Atomic Energy Commission
United States Atomic Energy Commission
The United States Atomic Energy Commission was an agency of the United States government established after World War II by Congress to foster and control the peace time development of atomic science and technology. President Harry S...
(1956), the Atoms for Peace Award
Atoms for Peace Award
The Atoms for Peace Award was established in 1955 through a grant of $1,000,000 by the Ford Motor Company Fund. An independent nonprofit corporation was set up to administer the award for the development or application of peaceful nuclear technology. It was created in response to U.S. President...
(1960), the Enrico Fermi Award
Enrico Fermi Award
The Enrico Fermi Award is an award honoring scientists of international stature for their lifetime achievement in the development, use, or production of energy. It is administered by the U.S. government's Department of Energy...
(1969), and the Elliott Cresson Medal
Elliott Cresson Medal
The Elliott Cresson Medal, also known as the Elliott Cresson Gold Medal, was the highest award given by the Franklin Institute. The award was established by Elliott Cresson, life member of the Franklin Institute, with $1,000 granted in 1848...
from The Franklin Institute (1970).
Walter H. Zinn Award
The American Nuclear SocietyAmerican Nuclear Society
The American Nuclear Society is an international, not-for-profit 501 scientific and educational organization with a membership of approximately 11,000 scientists, engineers, educators, students, and other associate members. Approximately 900 members live outside the United States in 40 countries....
(ANS), Operations and Power Division, annually awards their "Walter H. Zinn Award" to recognize an individual "for a notable and sustained contribution to the nuclear power industry that has not been widely recognized." This award was created in 1976.
Further reading
- Walter Henry Zinn, from the Biographical Memoirs of the National Academy of SciencesUnited States National Academy of SciencesThe National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
, by Alvin M. Weinberg