## [Our History](/purpose/history) # OUR HISTORY ## Making **History** and a **Difference** ## The “Big Ideas” Laboratory Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) was established in 1952 in the early days of the Cold War to meet urgent national security needs by advancing nuclear weapons science and technology. Our story of success began with a remarkable group of visionaries who set out to be a “big ideas” laboratory committed to a multidisciplinary approach to research pioneered by our cofounder and namesake Ernest O. Lawrence. Over our history, the Laboratory, through a diverse community of dedicated and talented employees, has strengthened national security with a tradition of science and technological innovations — anticipating, developing and delivering solutions. ![Ernest Lawrence, Edward Teller, and first director Herbert York](https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/styles/orig/public/2023-03/our-history-intro-image.png?itok=0VMZx5wc "our-history-intro-image.png") Cofounded by Ernest O. Lawrence and Edward Teller, the Laboratory began operations on Sept. 2, 1952, with Herbert York serving as the first director. ![A thumbnail of LLNL's flyer about its history.](/sites/www/files/styles/orig/public/2023-03/llnl-our-history-flyer.png?itok=HPQjAV0w) ### [LLNL History Fact Sheet](https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2025-06/llnl-history-fact-sheet.pdf) An overview of more than seven decades of applying cutting-edge science and technology to meet the nation’s national security needs. ![70th anniversary booklet cover](/sites/www/files/styles/orig/public/2023-03/llnl-70th-anniversary-booklet-mockup.png?itok=U6NdWiiJ) ### [LLNL 70th Anniversary Book, 2022](https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2022-09/LLNL_70th_Book_final_09.22.22.pdf) A collection of interwoven stories compiled in celebration of the Lab’s 70th anniversary that highlight a history of remarkable achievements driven by creative individuals and interdisciplinary teams. ## LLNL Timeline Welcome to an overview of our stories, our people and our history. Please use this interactive timeline to explore in depth the people, programs and events that have shaped the vibrant history of our Laboratory. - [1950s](https://www.llnl.gov/our-purpose/our-history/1950s) - [1960s](https://www.llnl.gov/our-purpose/our-history/1960s) - [1970s](https://www.llnl.gov/our-purpose/our-history/1970s) - [1980s](https://www.llnl.gov/our-purpose/our-history/1980s) - [1990s](https://www.llnl.gov/our-purpose/our-history/1990s) - [2000s](https://www.llnl.gov/our-purpose/our-history/2000s) - [2010s](https://www.llnl.gov/our-purpose/our-history/2010s) - [2020s](https://www.llnl.gov/our-purpose/our-history/2020s) 1k7lYJY-8ObTnPlh9XHhaDoPMEYB4rigv3e4E2C9WMUw ## LLNL Through the Years A pictorial look through the decades of some of the programs and people that have contributed to our history of technological innovation and scientific excellence. [ ![University of California Radiation Laboratory sign](/sites/www/files/styles/thumbnail_400_225/public/2023-03/1ucrl-sign_1953.jpg?itok=tRjQoBeZ) ](/sites/www/files/styles/orig/public/2023-03/1ucrl-sign_1953.jpg?itok=kdAO4VHZ) [ ![Computer scientists standing around univac computer in 1959](/sites/www/files/styles/thumbnail_400_225/public/2023-03/2univac_1959.jpg?itok=N__GvWRI) ](/sites/www/files/styles/orig/public/2023-03/2univac_1959.jpg?itok=4VxF-w_Z) [ ![Worker in 1957 in computer machine room](/sites/www/files/styles/thumbnail_400_225/public/2023-03/3table-top_1957.jpg?itok=_aekce8Q) ](/sites/www/files/styles/orig/public/2023-03/3table-top_1957.jpg?itok=vzgFX0t1) [ ![1955 worker pearing into one of dozens of scopes](/sites/www/files/styles/thumbnail_400_225/public/2023-03/4operation-teapot_1955.jpg?itok=rsHZkSxx) ](/sites/www/files/styles/orig/public/2023-03/4operation-teapot_1955.jpg?itok=lbnv-xM6) [ ![1960 fabrication shop](/sites/www/files/styles/thumbnail_400_225/public/2023-03/5fabrication-shop_1960.jpg?itok=m0fQvPed) ](/sites/www/files/styles/orig/public/2023-03/5fabrication-shop_1960.jpg?itok=lPpcEwz2) [ ![Project Gnome cavity](/sites/www/files/styles/thumbnail_400_225/public/2023-03/project-gnome_1961.jpg?itok=k15lyIrS) ](/sites/www/files/styles/orig/public/2023-03/project-gnome_1961.jpg?itok=2KAgEfVE) [ ![1960 computer scientists at Univac LARC computer](/sites/www/files/styles/thumbnail_400_225/public/2023-03/larc_1960.jpg?itok=sVcHE9hL) ](/sites/www/files/styles/orig/public/2023-03/larc_1960.jpg?itok=O1ZYYIXY) [ ![A technician works on the Shiva chamber 1977](/sites/www/files/styles/thumbnail_400_225/public/2023-03/shiva-chamber_1977.jpg?itok=l3tr15a0) ](/sites/www/files/styles/orig/public/2023-03/shiva-chamber_1977.jpg?itok=aCBYDMKM) [ ![Teachers with students](/sites/www/files/styles/thumbnail_400_225/public/2023-03/9education.jpg?itok=GzpiyJkQ) ](/sites/www/files/styles/orig/public/2023-03/9education.jpg?itok=XfuK6NiB) [ ![The 400 ton magnet used in experimental fusion research](/sites/www/files/styles/thumbnail_400_225/public/2023-03/10mftf_1981.jpg?itok=EP5lVsla) ](/sites/www/files/styles/orig/public/2023-03/10mftf_1981.jpg?itok=6r1bNV_B) [ ![Children at family day in 1982 viewing a resistance shot welder](/sites/www/files/styles/thumbnail_400_225/public/2023-03/11family-day_1982.jpg?itok=4DwKK7c0) ](/sites/www/files/styles/orig/public/2023-03/11family-day_1982.jpg?itok=Og3e2Nty) [ ![The NIF chamber being loaded into the building site](/sites/www/files/styles/thumbnail_400_225/public/2023-03/12nif-chamber_1999.jpg?itok=8A7nRvY-) ](/sites/www/files/styles/orig/public/2023-03/12nif-chamber_1999.jpg?itok=IOTn1SZL) [View More Historic LLNL Photos](https://www.flickr.com/photos/llnl/albums/72157610670591479) ## Make Your Mark on the World. Join LLNL. Work-life balance. Best-in-class benefits. Opportunities for growth. Joining LLNL gives you all that and much more. Whether your talent lies in engineering, a skilled craft, design or analysis, there’s a place for you at LLNL. [View Open Jobs ](https://www.llnl.gov/join-our-team/careers/find-your-job)