Oppenheimer was a Geologist as a Kid
Oppenheimer made a name for himself in quantum physics. But as a child, he had rocks on the brain. He would comb the grounds around Manhattan and the Hudson River Palisades for unusual and interesting rock samples. He would contact famous geologists to confer with them about the samples he found. One of these geologists nominated Oppenheimer to the New York Mineralogical Club – not realizing he was a twelve-year-old child. At just twelve years old, the club invited him to deliver a speech. While his youth must have shocked members who didn’t realize their budding colleague was a minor, Oppenheimer’s parents encouraged him to deliver the speech. He got up in front of the crowd filled with experts and delivered his address, standing on a box so he could view the audience over the lectern. His geological interest shifted into an interest in physics and into infamy.