(December 1, 1910-May 30, 1946)
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Physicist and chemist
Participant in the Manhattan Project to build the first atomic bomb
Accidentally created a critical mass when his grip slipped on a screwdriver separating two hemispheres of plutonium (May 21, 1946)
Physically separated the hemispheres absorbing a lethal dose of radiation in the process

He told people he had fought in the Spanish Civil War, but according to his brother he had merely gone 'on a walking tour of Spain.'
His first job in nuclear chemistry paid so poorly, his father had to support him.
Enrico Fermi disapproved of his risk taking and would reportedly leave the lab building whenever Slotin conducted experiments.
Using a screwdriver to separate the plutonium hemispheres was a violation of the safety procedures.

At the University of Manitoba, he won gold medals for chemistry and physics.
He was the university's bantamweight boxing champion.
His prompt action in separating the two plutonium hemispheres was credited with saving the lives of seven other people in the lab.

Credit: C. Fishel

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