august american physicist served director years succeeded personally chose position director working closely manhattan_project world war charge final assembly detonated july trinity test took charge difficult time staff leaving living conditions poor possibility laboratory close managed persuade staff stay got renew contract manage laboratory pushed continued development nuclear weapons transforming laboratory devices production models numerous improvements safer reliable easier store handle efficient use scarce 1950s oversaw development weapons falling priority given development led creation rival nuclear weapons laboratory later years branched constructing develop laboratory role nuclear science space race 1960s laboratory developed named honor early life born california children wife sister died infant family adopted twins bobby betty served world war educated ontario california graduating age attended california graduated cum bachelor_of_arts chemistry earned membership met english literature major sister college room mate married sons david interested physics graduate work teaching fellow fellow submitted phd thesis studies mobility supervision awarded fellowship supervising thesis served naval world war encouraged apply commission naval commission ensign signed lieutenant commander head berkeley time years assistant professor physics stanford_university rising associate professor professor expert electrical gases properties behavior atmospheric electricity publishing journals including invented nielsen type electrical gate widely mass time flight mass mobility world war called service world war early navy allowed stay stanford end academic year sent naval proving ground virginia work external working commander june received orders parsons deputy director manhattan_project report new_mexico parsons explained needed work explosive lenses required type nuclear weapon enthusiastic prospect naval officer ultimately agreed head charge field test program august laboratory director implemented sweeping reorganisation new renumbered point leading critical work laboratory struggled jets perfect spherical shape desired process examined combination magnetic ray techniques march created parsons carry manhattan_project ultimate mission preparation delivery nuclear weapons combat transferred head assembly group july supervised preparation bomb known trinity nuclear test later recalled deep emotional thoughts trinity didn damned pleased went director submitted resignation director remained successor found director manhattan_project major general wanted solid academic background high standing project recommended liked fact naval officer military man scientist accepted offer month trial basis parsons arranged quickly discharged navy awarded wartime services remained naval reserve ultimately retiring rank captain october ceremony presented laboratory award presented certificate appreciation laboratory second director following day months particularly difficult hoped quickly passed congress wartime manhattan_project superseded new permanent organization soon clear months president sign act creating law august active january meantime legal authority act limited scientists eager return laboratories universities february wartime division heads left talented core remained head division renamed responsible chemistry physics george theory explosives ordnance number personnel wartime peak living temporary wartime accommodation matters worse water pipe water supplied tanker trucks despite reduced staff provide support nuclear tests pacific pushed continued development nuclear weapons laboratory devices production models numerous improvements safe reliable easy store handle efficient use scarce gave priority improved weapons research continued alarm clock boosted nuclear weapon super weapons design new designs tested operation sandstone mark nuclear bomb nuclear weapon mass produced assembly line future certain began looking new site laboratory away crowded town center submitted proposal new million facility linked town new bridge canyon time remained nominally professor stanford nominally run wartime contract clause contract allowed university terminate contract months end war university duly served notice managed rescinded contract renewed professor laboratory come design tests conducted operation greenhouse tensions degree priority given weapons development led creation second nuclear weapons laboratory later years branched constructing develop laboratory role nuclear science space race 1960s laboratory worked project developing laboratory demonstrated feasibility value nuclear rocket propulsion years responsible administration town town established impressive health education facilities eventually new technical area built outside town february security gates taken finally town incorporated community director civic responsibilities ended awarded exceptionally civilian service united_states_of_america position great responsibility director citation went outstanding international reputation directly exceptional leadership united_states laboratory large degree present nuclear capability received later life retired director successor invited senior consultant declined offer serve consultant government agencies including member boards governor new_mexico appointed regent turbulent time university response students activist marched home president refused meet students called strike classes cancelled rallies held students occupied cargo called remove people cargo successor replaced regent mid-1990s accidentally hit leg set right leg knee spread left leg left foot leaving wheelchair disease eventually proved fatal died august survived wife died january sons funeral service held buried
Norris Bradbury