this post was submitted on 13 Jan 2026
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Early nuclear scientists were batshit crazy deranged lunatics. Louis Slotin was researching the criticality of a plutonium core by lowering half a sphere of beryllium over it using the tip of a screwdriver and not a single piece of safety equipment.
It did not end well.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demon_core
They sacrificed their lives so we could know both the power and danger ofthee subatomic world. They are accidental heroes. Now, someone who did that shit today with full knowledge of the consequences - they would be batshit insane.
For what its worth, Slotin in particular knew the consequences. If i recall correctly, he had a reputation for being a bit of a "cowboy" when it came to experimental protocol. I believe the lab even had specially made tools for handling the core, but Slotin insisted on using a screwdriver because it was easier.
Thanks, I will read more about him. Was not aware.
Maybe, but Slotin knew exactly what kind of dangers he was dealing with. He just chose to be a nuclear cowboy instead.
You could say he was Slotin the screwdriver in there