Werner Heisenberg was born on December 5, 1901, in Würzburg, Germany.¹⁾

He died on February 1, 1976, in Munich, Germany.²⁾

Heisenberg was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1932 for his creation of quantum mechanics, the application of which led to the discovery of the allotropic forms of hydrogen.³⁾

Heisenberg was one of the key figures in the development of quantum mechanics, which revolutionized the understanding of atomic and subatomic processes.⁴⁾

Heisenberg developed matrix mechanics, the first complete and consistent formulation of quantum mechanics.⁵⁾

Heisenberg worked closely with Danish physicist Niels Bohr, and their collaboration significantly influenced the development of quantum theory.⁶⁾

Heisenberg, along with Bohr, developed the Copenhagen Interpretation of quantum mechanics, which posits that a quantum system remains in superposition until it is observed.⁷⁾

Heisenberg studied physics at the University of Munich under Arnold Sommerfeld, and at the University of Göttingen under Max Born.⁸⁾

Heisenberg received his Ph.D. in 1923 from the University of Munich with a dissertation on hydrodynamics.⁹⁾

Heisenberg became a full professor at the University of Leipzig in 1927, at the age of 26, one of the youngest full professors in the history of German academia.¹⁰⁾

During World War II, Heisenberg played a leading role in Germany’s nuclear weapon project, known as the Uranverein (Uranium Club).¹¹⁾

Heisenberg's involvement in the Nazi regime's nuclear program has been a subject of controversy and debate, particularly regarding whether he actively tried to develop an atomic bomb or deliberately hindered the project.¹²⁾

In 1941, Heisenberg visited Niels Bohr in occupied Denmark, leading to a conversation that has been widely discussed for its implications regarding Heisenberg's intentions in the nuclear project.¹³⁾

After World War II, Heisenberg and other German scientists were captured by the Allies in Operation Alsos and interned in England at Farm Hall, where their conversations were secretly recorded.¹⁴⁾

The Farm Hall transcripts revealed that Heisenberg misunderstood the critical mass required for an atomic bomb, which some interpret as evidence that he never intended to build one.¹⁵⁾

Heisenberg is best known for formulating the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle, a fundamental theory in quantum mechanics that states it is impossible to know both the position and momentum of a particle simultaneously with absolute precision.¹⁶⁾

After the war, Heisenberg returned to Germany and became a director of the Max Planck Institute for Physics, formerly the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Physics.¹⁷⁾

Heisenberg spent much of his later career attempting to develop a unified field theory, a theory that would unify the forces of nature, but was ultimately unsuccessful.¹⁸⁾

Heisenberg had a deep interest in philosophy, particularly in the works of Plato, and he often reflected on the philosophical implications of quantum mechanics.¹⁹⁾

Heisenberg was married to Elisabeth Schumacher in 1937, and they had seven children together.²⁰⁾

Heisenberg’s work laid the foundation for much of modern physics, influencing fields ranging from quantum mechanics to particle physics.²¹⁾

The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle is often referenced in popular culture, including in the TV show Breaking Bad, where the main character adopts “Heisenberg” as his alias.²²⁾

Heisenberg authored several books, including “Physics and Philosophy” (1958), where he explored the philosophical aspects of quantum mechanics.²³⁾

The German Physical Society awards the Werner Heisenberg Medal in his honor to recognize outstanding contributions to theoretical physics.²⁴⁾

Heisenberg’s work influenced the development of quantum electrodynamics, a theory that describes how light and matter interact.²⁵⁾

Heisenberg contributed to the understanding of electron spin, which is a fundamental property of particles in quantum mechanics.²⁶⁾

Heisenberg worked closely with Wolfgang Pauli, another pioneer of quantum theory, particularly on the exclusion principle.²⁷⁾

Heisenberg was a Protestant Christian and often expressed the belief that science and religion could coexist.²⁸⁾

Heisenberg was a talented pianist and had a lifelong love of classical music, often playing duets with colleagues.²⁹⁾

Despite their differing views on quantum mechanics, Heisenberg had a close and respectful relationship with Albert Einstein.³⁰⁾

Heisenberg was not a member of the Nazi Party, and his relationship with the regime was complicated, as he tried to navigate the difficult political landscape of the time.³¹⁾

In 1937, Heisenberg was attacked in the Nazi press by SS official Heinrich Himmler for teaching “Jewish” physics but managed to avoid persecution after appealing to Himmler.³²⁾

Heisenberg was one of the scientists detained in Operation Epsilon, during which he famously miscalculated the critical mass for an atomic bomb.³³⁾