Who was the scientific director of the Manhattan Project?

The scientific director of the Manhattan Project was J. Robert Oppenheimer. He played a critical role in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II. Oppenheimer was instrumental in coordinating the research and development efforts that ultimately led to the successful detonation of the first atomic bomb in July 1945 at the Trinity Test site in New Mexico. His leadership and vision helped bring together some of the most brilliant minds of the time, including scientists from various disciplines, which was essential for the complex and secretive nature of the project.

In contrast, while figures like Albert Einstein and Enrico Fermi contributed significantly to the field of physics and had connections to the project, they were not in the position of scientific director. Neils Bohr was a celebrated physicist as well, known for his foundational contributions to atomic and quantum theory, but he was not directly involved in the Manhattan Project's organizational structure. The collaborative effort under Oppenheimer’s direction was crucial for the project's success and its historical impact.