…has been showing up in the news lately…
A couple of stories percolated around the Interwebs over the past few weeks about Taylor Wilson, who, at the age of 14, claimed the mantle of "World's Youngest Fusioneer" – i.e. the youngest person to build a fusor (or any kind of fusion device) and produce neutrons – the evidence of actual fusion.
Looks like stories about Taylor first appeared late last spring on the web at Gizmodo.com after he demonstrated his nuclear weapons detector at the Intel International Science Fair:
…his science project…was titled “countering nuclear terrorism”, and was designed to make checking cargo containers for weapons a much easier job. The detector acts like an X-ray, scanning containers for fingerprints or traces of radioactive materials without having to even open them. With 35 million cargo containers going through customs each year, a device like this will definitely make the lives of cargo inspectors much easier.
More recently, Taylor has raised eyebrows after testing his nuclear fusion reactor, as reported at TheBlaze.com:
Wilson was 14 when he became the youngest person in the world to build a nuclear fusion reactor. Getting his start on Fusor.net, Wilson joined the ranks of only 30 hobbyist ‘Fusioneers’ before him who were able to fuse two atoms together.
We're probably a little late to Taylor's party. He's been a active member of the fusor.net forums for several years, it's about time he got some attention here on the front of the site.
So, what were you building when YOU were 14 or 15 years old? Me, I was building model cars… didn't find out about fusion until several years later…
Let us all raise a glass to Taylor, who has elevated the level of teenage geekdom to heights that can only be imagined by your average teen hacker.
I guess Taylor's glass will have to be root beer for a few more years..
–PS
Taylor deserves all the kudos and has made the news in several places. All the best to him in future in both school, his fusion efforts and in his future work place efforts.
I know he will shine brightly there, too.
Many of us were just as geeky and doing stuff like Taylor and at age 15, too.
I had built Tesla coils and crude analog computers by that age. I had also been doing chemical and amateur rocket experiments (metal rockets with nasty and dangerous chemicals).
Carl willis showed up at my house back in theh Tesla coil days, (early 90’s), while in Jr. high school and immediately made a couple of nice coils. He also had the youthful chemical experiments behind him at that age.
It is the “hands-on imperative”, most often granted to males, that drags some select few young men to make stuff….weird, off the wall stuff. Taylor is just another example, although with a bit more polish and press than most can muster.
Now that we have toasted Taylor, let us lift another one for all young people, here and elsewhere, afflicted with the hands-on imperative; who struggle and strive to fashion seemingly impossible articles and items far beyond their years and experience.
Richard Hull
Taylor’s enthusiasm is infectious, and his achievements at ISEF have set an example for many young people who will no doubt follow and build on his progress. I look forward to seeing him at HEAS, if he’s indeed coming.
Well i’m 14 and i’m making this and a particle accelerator.
Although this is amazing Krystal Schuh is the youngest fusioneer at 13. Check this sites list of fusioneers in The Neutron Club.
http://waterstarproject.com/board/index.php?site=fusor&bn=fusor_announce&action=view&key=1022854449
Me and my buddy Ryan are each building Fusor’s as we speak! Very exciting!