32 Facts About Frank Oppenheimer

Frank Friedman Oppenheimer was an American particle physicist, cattle rancher, professor of physics at the University of Colorado, and the founder of the Exploratorium in San Francisco.

Frank Oppenheimer was a target of McCarthyism and was blacklisted from finding any physics teaching position in the United States until 1957, when he was allowed to teach science at a high school in Colorado.

In 1969, Frank Oppenheimer founded the Exploratorium in San Francisco, and he served as its first director until his death in 1985.

Frank Friedman Oppenheimer was born in 1912 in New York City to Julius Oppenheimer and Ella Friedman.

Frank Oppenheimer studied the flute under nationally known teacher George Barrera, becoming competent enough at the instrument to consider a career as a flautist.

Frank Oppenheimer began his schooling at the Ethical Culture School, where he attended until seventh grade.

Frank Oppenheimer eventually followed the advice of his older brother Robert, and became a professional physicist.

Frank Oppenheimer entered into studies at Johns Hopkins University in 1930, graduating three years later with a BS in physics.

Frank Oppenheimer received his PhD in 1939 and completed two postdoctoral years at Stanford.

From 1941 to 1945 Frank Oppenheimer worked at the University of California Radiation Laboratory on the problem of uranium isotope separation under the direction of his brother's good friend, Ernest O Lawrence.

Frank Oppenheimer's responsibilities included the instrumentation for the Trinity test site, in New Mexico.

Frank Oppenheimer was involved in the founding of the Association of Los Alamos Scientists, on August 30,1945.

Frank Oppenheimer later joined the Federation of American Scientists, and was a member of the American Physical Society.

Frank Oppenheimer said he and his wife had joined at a time when they sought answers to the high unemployment experienced in the United States during the later part of the Great Depression.

Frank Oppenheimer refused to name others he knew to be members.

In 1957, the Red Scare had lessened to the point that Frank Oppenheimer was allowed to teach science at a local high school.

Frank Oppenheimer worked with the Physical Science Study Committee, helping to develop a new high school physics curriculum in the immediate post-Sputnik years.

In 1965, Frank Oppenheimer was awarded a Guggenheim Fellowship to study the history of physics and to conduct bubble chamber research at University College, London, where he was exposed to European science museums for the first time.

Inspired, Frank Oppenheimer devoted the next years of his life to creating a similar resource in the United States.

Frank Oppenheimer was able to fund the opening of the Exploratorium partly due to a grant from the San Francisco Foundation.

Frank Oppenheimer served as the first director of the museum, and was personally involved in almost every aspect of its daily operations for the rest of his life.

Frank Oppenheimer had visited the Tel Aviv Science Museum in 1965, and later used several of Ivan Moscovich's designs and exhibits in his revolutionary Exploratorium in San Francisco.

Frank Oppenheimer had a lifelong belief in the importance of art in an equal and closely connected relationship to science.

Frank Oppenheimer personally recruited artist Bob Miller to create Sun Painting, the first major art installation at the Exploratorium.

In 1974, Frank Oppenheimer established an ongoing artist-in-residence program at the Exploratorium, regularly bringing in a succession of emerging and established artists working at the boundaries of art and science.

Frank Oppenheimer wanted people to be able to explore the museum and learn at their own pace, following a path that made sense to them and stimulated their curiosity.

Frank Oppenheimer strove to make learning a fun and enjoyable experience for all.

In 1977, Frank Oppenheimer was diagnosed with lymphoma, and underwent two years of successful chemotherapy.

Frank Oppenheimer still remained active, appearing at the Exploratorium nearly daily until the last few weeks of his life.

Frank Oppenheimer died at home in Sausalito, California, on February 3,1985.

Frank Oppenheimer died in 1985, leaving his second wife Mildred Danielson, son Michael, and daughter Judith.

Frank Oppenheimer considered the Exploratorium and its educational programs to be his most important accomplishment and legacy.