Editing Ted Taylor (physicist) (section)

==Legacy==
Theodore Taylor was involved in many important projects and made numerous contributions to nuclear development for the United States. During his time at Los Alamos, he was responsible for designing the smallest fission bomb of the era, named [[Davy Crockett (nuclear device)|Davy Crockett]], which weighed only {{convert|50|lb|disp=flip}}, measured approximately {{convert|12|in|disp=flip|adj=on}} across, and could produce between 10 and 20 tons of [[TNT equivalent]].<ref name=":1"/> This device was formerly known as the M28 Weapons System.<ref name=":4">{{cite journal|last=Bolger|first=Daniel|date=July 2014|title=The Crockett's Red Glare|journal=Army Magazine|volume=64|pages=55–57|via=EBSCOhost}}</ref> The Davy Crockett itself was the M388 Atomic Round fired from the weapons system, featuring a recoilless rifle either erected and fixed on as freestanding tripod or mounted on the frame of a light utility vehicle, such as the Jeep, the former functioned similarly to other modern rocket propelled rounds (see [[RPG-7]]).<ref name=":4"/> It was a mounted weapons system, which means that it would be set up, aimed, and fired as a [[crew-served weapon]].<ref name=":4"/> Taylor also designed fission bombs smaller than Davy Crockett, which were developed after he left Los Alamos.<ref name=":1"/> He designed [[suitcase nuclear device|a nuclear bomb so small]] that it weighed only {{convert|20|lb|disp=flip}}, but it was never developed and tested.<ref name=":0"/> Taylor designed the [[Mark 18 nuclear bomb|Super Oralloy Bomb]], also known as the "SOB". It still holds the record for the largest fission explosion ever tested (as the [[Ivy King]] device tested during Operation Ivy), producing over 500 kilotons of [[TNT equivalent]].<ref name=":1"/> Taylor was credited with developing multiple techniques that improved the fission bomb. For example, he was largely responsible for the development of fusion [[boosted fission weapon|boosting]], which is a technique that improves the reaction yield and efficiency of a nuclear reaction.<ref name=":1"/> This technique was a re-invention of the implosion mechanism used in the bomb detonated at Nagasaki.<ref name=":0"/> He theorized a series of nuclear reactions within the implosion mechanism that, in combination, trigger the large chain reaction to detonate.<ref name=":0"/> This eliminated much of the energy waste and necessity for precision of the original reaction mechanism.<ref name=":0"/> This technique is still found in all U.S. fission nuclear weapons today.<ref name=":1"/> He also developed a technique that greatly reduced the size of atomic bombs.<ref name=":0"/> First tested in a bomb called "Scorpion", it used a reflector made of [[beryllium]], which was drastically lighter than the materials previously used, such as tungsten carbide (WC).<ref name=":0"/> Taylor recognized that although a low-atomic-number element like beryllium did not "bounce" neutrons back into the fissile core as efficiently as heavy tungsten, its propensity for neutron spallation (in nuclear physics the so-called "(n,2n)" reaction) more than compensated in overall reflector performance.

After these breakthroughs, Taylor became more of an important figure at Los Alamos.<ref name=":0"/> He was included in high priority situations reserved for important personnel, and was even taken to [[The Pentagon]] as a consultant on strategies and the potential outcomes of a nuclear war with Russia.<ref name=":0"/> In total, Taylor was responsible for the development of eight bombs: the Super Oralloy Bomb, Davey Crockett, Scorpion, Hamlet, Bee, Hornet, Viper, and the Puny Plutonium bomb.<ref name=":0"/> The latter was the first-ever [[fizzle (nuclear explosion)|dud]] in the history of U.S. nuclear tests.<ref name=":0"/> He produced the bomb called Hamlet after receiving direct orders from military officials to pursue a project in bomb efficiency; it ended up being the most efficient fission bomb ever exploded in the kiloton range.<ref name=":0"/>

Apart from bombs, Taylor also explored concepts of producing large amounts of nuclear fuel in an expedited manner. His plans, known as MICE (Megaton Ice Contained Explosions), essentially sought to plant a thermonuclear weapon deep in the ice and detonate it, resulting in a giant underground pool of radioactive materials that could then be retrieved.<ref name=":0"/> While his idea had merit, Taylor ultimately received little support for this concept and the project never came to fruition.<ref name=":0"/>