Dick Garwin Fought Nuclear Armageddon. He Hid a 50-Year Secret.
The New York TimesMonday, May 19, 2025 at 1:54:07 PM

** Richard Garwin was a brilliant physicist who played a crucial role in designing the hydrogen bomb—but for decades, he quietly worked behind the scenes to prevent nuclear war, all while keeping a major secret about his own involvement in Cold War-era weapons programs. This article peels back the layers on his dual legacy: a man who helped create the deadliest weapon in history, then spent his life trying to contain its dangers.
Editor’s Note: ** Garwin’s story is a gripping paradox—how do you reconcile inventing a weapon of mass destruction with a lifetime spent trying to stop its use? It’s a reminder that the people shaping history often carry hidden contradictions, and that the line between hero and villain isn’t always clear, especially in the shadow of nuclear brinkmanship. This isn’t just a historical footnote; it’s about the moral dilemmas that still haunt scientists and policymakers today.
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