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Ernest Rutherford is best known for ‘’splitting the atom’’ at the University of Manchester in 1917 but at the same time as leading this ground-breaking research the scientist was helping tackle the U boat threat.

German submarines threatened to starve Britain into submission, so Rutherford was employed to use his skills to work on research in water tanks at the University. He developed sound navigation and ranging (sonar). It allowed the navy to pinpoint where a submarine was underwater to allow ships then to carry out an attack.

Rutherford’s research was so secret it was never acknowledged in his lifetime and was only made public in 1963.

Location: University of Manchester, Manchester M1 3BB
Image: Ernest Rutherford