Walter Zinn was born on October 10, 1906, in Kitchener, Canada. He was the son of John Zinn and Maria Anna Stoskopf. He had an older brother named Albert. Zinn showed an early interest in science and technology, which led him to pursue a career in physics.
Zinn graduated from Queen's University in 1930 with a degree in Physics. He then went on to enroll at Columbia University that same year to further his studies in the field. It was during his time at Columbia that Zinn's passion for nuclear physics began to flourish.
During World War II, Zinn worked at the Manhattan Project's Metallurgical Laboratory, where he played a key role in supervising the construction of Chicago Pile-1, the world's first nuclear reactor. His work on this project earned him recognition in the field of nuclear physics.
After the war, Zinn became the first director of the Argonne National Laboratory from 1946 to 1956. He designed and built several new reactors, including Experimental Breeder Reactor I, which became the first nuclear reactor to produce electric power in December 1951.
Zinn later moved to Florida, where he started a consulting firm that was involved in the design and construction of pressurized water reactors. Throughout his career, Zinn continued to make significant contributions to the field of nuclear physics.
In 1964, Zinn's first wife, Jean, passed away. In 1996, he married Mary Teresa Pratt and became a stepfather to Warren and Robert Johnson. Despite his professional success, Zinn valued his family above all else and enjoyed spending time with his loved ones.
Walter Zinn's contributions to the field of nuclear physics have left a lasting impact on the scientific community. His work on the Manhattan Project and the construction of Chicago Pile-1 paved the way for advancements in nuclear energy. Zinn's commitment to excellence and innovation continue to inspire future generations of physicists and engineers.
Zinn had the privilege of working under the guidance of Enrico Fermi, a renowned physicist known for his contributions to the development of the atomic bomb. Under Fermi's mentorship, Zinn was able to hone his skills and expertise in the field of nuclear physics.