Enrico Fermi, father of the nuclear age – History of physics
Enrico Fermi, father of the nuclear age
The EconomistThe Economist/>Skip to contentMenuWeekly editionThe world in briefSearchOpinionLeadersLetters to the editorBy InvitationCurrent topicsUS elections 2024War in UkraineWar in the Middle EastThe World Ahead 2024Climate changeCoronavirusThe world economyArtificial intelligenceCurrent topicsUS elections 2024War in UkraineWar in the Middle EastThe World Ahead 2024Climate changeCoronavirusThe world economyArtificial intelligenceWorldThe world this weekChinaUnited StatesEuropeBritainMiddle East & AfricaAsiaThe AmericasInternationalA-Z of international relationsA-Z of military termsA-Z of US politicsUS election poll trackerIn depthScience & technologyBriefingGraphic detailThe Economist explainsSpecial reportsTechnology QuarterlyEssaySchools briefBusiness & economicsFinance & economicsBusinessBig Mac indexA-Z of economicsEconomic & financial indicatorsCulture & society1843 magazineCultureObituaryThe Economist readsChristmas SpecialsMorePodcastsNewslettersFilmsThe Economist appSecureDropSubscriber eventsEconomist Education coursesEconomist EnterpriseMy EconomistSaved storiesLog outSaved storiesAccountLog outA new biography of the Italian physicist considered the last man to know everythingThe Last Man Who Knew Everything: The Life and Times of Enrico Fermi, Father of the Nuclear Age. By David Schwartz. Basic Books; 451 pages; $35 and £27.99.This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “Clever calculator”From the January 6th 2018 editionDiscover stories from this section and more in the list of contentsExplore the edition