Who split the atom

When Trump Tried to Claim the Atom Splitting Crown—But Kiwis Know Who Really Did It!

A US President takes credit for atomic achievements while New Zealand stands proud to defend Sir Ernest Rutherford's legacy!

Recently, a rather eyebrow-raising situation unfolded when former US President Donald Trump claimed in his inaugural speech that Americans were the first to split the atom. However, this audacious assertion didn't sit well across the ocean in New Zealand, with its very own mayor, who promptly reminded the world of Sir Ernest Rutherford. Theory suggests Rutherford—hailing from Nelson, NZ—was the mastermind behind this monumental scientific feat back in 1917, during his time at Victoria University of Manchester in England. You could say this sparked a national dialogue about credit where credit is due!

Rutherford not only split the atom; he did it in a way that changed the course of modern physics! Now, in response to the slightly off-base presidential claim, the mayor of Nelson has extended an invitation to the new US ambassador to visit the memorial dedicated to this scientific pioneer. It’s a classic case of a Kiwi standing up for their local hero, ensuring Sir Ernest gets the recognition he undeniably deserves. Meanwhile, back in the States, Trump might want to look up ‘atomic history’ on Wikipedia!

The kerfuffle between Trump’s comments and New Zealand’s response highlights the importance of accurately recognizing scientific achievements. As more details emerged, it became increasingly clear that while physicists from America contributed significantly to atomic research, the pivotal moment of splitting the atom belonged to Rutherford and a handful of other non-Americans. In fact, scientists from Britain and New Zealand had crucial roles in this breakthrough.

As the dust settled, many couldn’t help but chuckle at the whole scenario—a president trying to add a scientific trophy to his cabinet of accomplishments, while the Kiwis armed themselves with facts to defend their legacy. It’s hard to deny that Sir Ernest has a place in the pantheon of great scientists, and now, thanks to some political missteps, he’s also a pop culture icon! So next time someone tries to tell you that atom splitting was an American-only achievement, just remind them: Kiwis did it first, and they’ve got the history (and the mayor) to prove it!

Interesting fact: Rutherford is sometimes referred to as the father of nuclear physics, and his work laid the foundation for numerous discoveries, including the development of nuclear energy. On another humorous note, if Trump is ever looking for a new claim to fame, perhaps he should consider “the first president to acknowledge a Kiwi in the scientific halls of history!”