The premier of Oppenheimer is around the corner and the anticipation couldn’t be greater. If, like us, you’re one of those who want to come prepare to the movies, you’ll probably wondering who are the key characters that helped or antagonized Robert Oppenheimer in his quest to develop the very first atomic bomb. This is the story of Lewis Strauss.
Lewis, who will be played by Robert Downey Jr. was an American engineer and public servant, recognized primarily for his important role in the nuclear field and his commitment to his country’s government. Born in January 1896 in West Virginia, Strauss qualified as a civil engineer; during WWI, Strauss became a member of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. After this event, he worked in private industry as an engineer and executive.
It was not until 1940 that he became involved in his country’s nuclear program, becoming one of the leading advocates of nuclear energy. He played an important role in the development of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), which was established in 1946, and three years later, he was appointed to the AEC by President Harry S Truman.
Lewis Strauss’ and Oppenheimer’s Relationship
Lewis Strauss met J. Robert Oppenheimer when he held one of the highest positions in the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) since the considered ‘father of the atomic bomb’ was a key element in the Manhattan Project, a program for the development of nuclear weapons during World War II. Both had very different ideologies, the same reason why, in 1949, they participated in political discussions related to atomic energy.
The relationship between Lewis and Oppenheimer was never the best. Oppenheimer was known for his views on the development of nuclear weapons and their implications for humanity, while Oppenheimer, after WWII, expressed concern about the nuclear arms race, and advocated arms control and the promotion of the peaceful use of nuclear energy. Despite their differences, ‘the father of the atomic bomb’ was recognized for his contributions to nuclear energy.
Lewis Strauss: Hero or Villain?
It cannot be confirmed whether Lewis Strauss was the good or the bad guy in the story, it all depends on the perspective from which the character is seen. Some applaud his contributions to the field of nuclear energy, being an impulse for its development.
Others criticize his lack of interest in the risks and concerns related to nuclear energy, which he promoted without taking safety into account, as well as the revocation of J. Robert Oppenheimer’s safety authorization.
The Death of Lewis Strauss
Despite the controversy his legacy may have caused in history, Lewis Strauss’ death was confirmed to be of natural causes, not unusual. He passed away on January 21, 1974, in Washington, D.C.
This story was written in Spanish by Nayeli Párraga in Cultura Colectiva
Read more:
How the Cast of ‘Oppenheimer’ Looks Like Compared to Their Real-Life Counterparts
Katherine Oppenheimer: The Loyal Wife of the ‘Father of the Atomic Bomb’
