Imagine a country’s newly elected president laying claim to the legacy of a founding figure like Thomas Edison. New Zealanders are seeing similar appropriations.
President Donald Trump’s recent inaugural address sparked heated debate over the origins of an unprecedented scientific achievement: splitting the atom. Trump’s claim that American experts were responsible for the feat has been quickly corrected by New Zealanders, who proudly claim that their native son, Sir Ernest Rutherford, was the true pioneer behind the discovery.
Rutherford’s achievement at Victoria University of Manchester in England in 1917 was a significant moment in the history of nuclear physics. His work not only earned him the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1908, but also led to the discovery of radioactive half-lives and the understanding that radioactivity involves the transformation of one chemical element into another.
Nick Smith, the mayor of Nelson, near Rutherford’s hometown, has invited the US ambassador to visit the Lord Rutherford memorial, stressing the importance of preserving an accurate historical record. Smith expressed surprise at Trump’s claim, saying, “I was a little surprised by new President Donald Trump claiming in his inauguration speech about the greatness of America that Americans today have nuclear fission while he honors Nelson’s most The famous and favorite son of Sir Ernest Rutherford.”
Trump’s comments have also been criticized by other New Zealanders, including Ben Uffindell, editor of The Civilian, who wrote on social media, “Okay, I need a call. Trump just claimed that the US Split the atom. That’s the only thing we’ve done.”
Okay, I’ve got time to call. Trump just claimed that America split the nuke. That’s one thing we did.
– Ben Uffindell (@BenUffindell) 20 January 2025
Rutherford’s legacy extends far beyond his scientific contributions. He is one of New Zealand’s most beloved sons, and his face still appears on the country’s $100 note. As the world grapples with the complexities of scientific discovery and national pride, Rutherford’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of preserving accurate historical records and honoring the achievements of leading scientists.
In the field of nuclear physics, Rutherford’s work led to many breakthroughs, including the discovery of the neutron and the development of nuclear reactors. His influence can be seen in the work of other scientists such as John Cockcroft and Ernest Walton, who successfully split lithium atoms using artificially accelerated protons in 1932.
