The discovery of nuclear fission in 1938 by Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann, with theoretical explanation by Lise Meitner, fundamentally changed the field of nuclear physics. By splitting uranium atoms, they revealed the potential for releasing vast amounts of energy, which would later lead to the development of nuclear power and atomic weapons. This groundbreaking discovery not only advanced scientific understanding but also had profound implications for global geopolitics and warfare in the 20th century. The ability to harness nuclear energy has since shaped energy policies and international relations.

The discovery of nuclear fission unleashed atomic energy, profoundly shaping poetry on apocalypse, power, ethics of science, and humanity's god-like ability to release stellar forces. Poets like Robert Lowell and Sylvia Plath engaged with these themes, questioning the moral implications of scientific advancement.