John Bardeen

John Bardeen – Life, Work, and Enduring Legacy

Learn about John Bardeen (1908–1991), the only person to win the Nobel Prize in Physics twice, his path from engineering to groundbreaking discoveries in the transistor and superconductivity, and his views on science and collaboration.

Introduction

John Bardeen was an American physicist and electrical engineer whose work reshaped modern technology and fundamental physics. He remains the only scientist awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics twice in the same field: first, in 1956 for co-inventing the transistor, and then in 1972 for the BCS theory of superconductivity.

His dual contributions – one to applied electronics, the other to quantum theory – span from the devices we use daily to the deep laws governing matter. Through his humility, collaborative spirit, and prodigious intellect, his life offers lessons not only for scientists but for anyone seeking to combine creativity, rigor, and purpose.

Early Life and Family

John Bardeen was born on May 23, 1908, in Madison, Wisconsin, to Charles Russell Bardeen and Althea Harmer.

When John was about twelve, his mother passed away, and his father later remarried.

He advanced quickly through school—skipping grades in early schooling—and graduated from high school at the age of 15.

Education & Early Career

Bardeen’s higher education began at the University of Wisconsin (Madison), where he earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering in 1928, then an M.S. in 1929.

For a few years after his master’s, he worked as a geophysicist at Gulf Research Laboratories in Pittsburgh—applying electrical and geological methods.

In 1933 he entered the doctoral program at Princeton University, under the supervision of Eugene Wigner, focusing on mathematical physics and solid-state theory.

He completed his Ph.D. in 1936.

Scientific Career & Major Contributions

Transistor Invention (1956 Nobel)

After World War II, Bardeen joined Bell Laboratories in New Jersey, working under William Shockley.

In December 1947, Bardeen and Walter Brattain succeeded in creating a point-contact transistor, a device that could amplify electrical signals. This was a major breakthrough that laid the foundation for modern electronics.

It replaced the bulky, power-hungry vacuum tube and was one of the key inventions enabling miniaturization and digital electronics.

For this work, Bardeen, Shockley, and Brattain were awarded the 1956 Nobel Prize in Physics “for their researches on semiconductors and their discovery of the transistor effect.”

BCS Theory of Superconductivity (1972 Nobel)

After his transistor work, Bardeen returned to theoretical research, focusing on superconductivity—a phenomenon where certain materials conduct electricity with zero resistance at very low temperatures.

In collaboration with Leon Cooper and John Robert Schrieffer, Bardeen helped develop what became known as BCS theory, which provided the first microscopic explanation of superconductivity.

This work earned Bardeen, Cooper, and Schrieffer the 1972 Nobel Prize in Physics.

With this second Nobel Prize, Bardeen remains the only person to win the Nobel in Physics twice.

Academic Career & Later Research

In 1951, Bardeen accepted a professorship at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he held appointments in both physics and electrical engineering.

At Illinois, he developed major research programs in solid-state physics and macroscopic quantum systems.

Even after his formal retirement, Bardeen remained active in research, tackling problems such as charge density waves and collective quantum phenomena in metals.

He also initially resisted but later accepted Brian Josephson’s theory on Josephson tunneling, demonstrating both rigor and openness to correction when new evidence emerged.

Personality, Philosophy & Collaborative Spirit

Though a towering intellect, Bardeen was known for his modesty, understatement, and grounded character.

He hosted neighborhood cookouts, asked simple questions like whether guests wanted their hamburger buns toasted, and often downplayed his scientific fame.

On his views of science and recognition, he emphasized collaboration and cumulative progress over solitary genius. For instance:

“Science is a field which grows continuously with ever expanding frontiers. Further, it is truly international in scope.” “The combined results of several people working together is often much more effective than could be that of an individual scientist working alone.” “My earlier award was also based on a close collaborative effort.” “The Nobel awards should be regarded as giving recognition to this general scientific progress as well as to the individuals involved.”

He also openly reflected that science could not alone resolve the ultimate questions about meaning or purpose, indicating a humility about the limits of technical knowledge.

Legacy & Influence

• Bardeen’s inventions and theories are foundational to modern electronics, quantum physics, and applied technology. Without the transistor, microelectronics, computers, and telecommunications would not exist in their current form.

• His BCS theory remains a cornerstone in condensed matter physics and guides many advances in superconductivity, quantum devices, and materials science.

• He is often celebrated not only for his technical breakthroughs, but also for his integrity, his collaborative ethos, and his role as a teacher and mentor.

• Institutions and honors commemorate him: the engineering quadrangle at the University of Illinois is named Bardeen Quad; a $3 million John Bardeen professorial chair was endowed by Sony.

• In 1977, he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his contributions to science.

Lessons from John Bardeen’s Life

1. Dual excellence: theory + application
   Bardeen’s career shows that deep theoretical insight and practical invention need not be separate paths. He moved fluidly between both with great success.

2. Collaboration over heroism
   He repeatedly emphasized that breakthroughs in science are collective achievements built on the work of many.

3. Humility amid genius
   Genius does not require hubris. Bardeen’s modest character and grounded life point to a model of greatness rooted in humility.

4. Lifelong curiosity
   Even after major success, he continued to explore new scientific problems—never resting on past laurels.

5. Openness to correction
   His willingness to reconsider Josephson’s theory, despite initial skepticism, reflects intellectual integrity and openness.

Conclusion

John Bardeen was a rare figure in the history of science: a humble man whose ideas altered the technological and physical landscape of the modern world. His dual Nobel Prizes in physics, his role in the invention of the transistor, and his theoretical work in superconductivity secure him a unique place in scientific history.

Beyond his scientific achievements, his collaborative spirit and grounded humanity offer a model for how to pursue innovation without losing sight of humility or shared purpose. His legacy endures in every smartphone, computer chip, MRI machine, and research lab that stands on the foundations he helped build.