Editing Timeline of nuclear fusion (section)

==1940s==
* '''1945'''
** The [[Smyth Report]], detailing the history of fission research and the [[Manhattan Project]], briefly refers to Bethe's discovery of the [[CNO cycle]] and the eventual possibility of laboratory fusion, without using the word "fusion".<ref name="r215">{{cite journal |last=Smyth |first=H. D. |year=1976 |title=The |url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/26404011 |journal=The Princeton University Library Chronicle |publisher=Princeton University Library |volume=37 |issue=3 |pages=173–189 |issn=00328456 |jstor=26404011 |access-date=2024-12-29}}</ref>
* '''1946'''
** [[George Paget Thomson]] of [[Imperial College, London]] designs the [[toroidal solenoid]], a simple fusion device. With [[Moses Blackman]], he further develops the concept and files for a patent. '''This becomes the first fusion device to receive a patent.'''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.iter.org/mag/3/29 |title=Who 'invented' fusion? |first=Robert |last=Arnoux |date=May 2014}}</ref> Repeated attempts to get development funding fail.
* '''1947'''
** A meeting at [[Atomic Energy Research Establishment|Harwell]] on the topic of fusion raises new concerns with the concept. On his return to London, Thomson gets graduate students [[James L. Tuck]] and [[Alan Alfred Ware]] to build a prototype device out of old radar parts.<ref name=handl>{{cite book
 |first1=John |last1=Hendry
 |first2=John |last2=Lawson
 |author-link2=John D. Lawson (scientist)
 |title=Fusion Research in the UK 1945 – 1960
 |publisher=AEA Technology
 |date=January 1993
 |url=https://scientific-publications.ukaea.uk/wp-content/uploads/Fusion-research-in-the-UK-1945-1960.pdf
}}</ref>
** [[Peter Thonemann]] comes up with a similar idea, but uses a different method of heating the fuel. This seems much more practical and finally gains the mild interest of the UK nuclear establishment. Not aware of who he is talking to, Thonemann describes the concept to Thomson, who adopts the same concept.<ref name=handl/>
** [[Herbert Wakefield Banks Skinner|Herbert Skinner]] begins to write a lengthy report on the entire fusion concept, pointing out several areas of little or no knowledge.<ref name=handl/>
* '''1948'''
** The [[Ministry of Supply]] (MoS) asks Thomson about the status of his patent filing, and he describes the problems he has getting funding.  The MoS forces Harwell to provide some money, and Thomson releases his rights to the patent. It is granted late that year.<ref name=handl/>
** Skinner publishes his report, calling for some experimental effort to explore the areas of concern. Along with the MoS's calls for funding of Thomson, this event marks the beginning of formal fusion research in the UK.<ref name=handl/>