Robert Wilson
US National Accelerator Laboratory director Robert Wilson (left) with deputy director Ned Goldwasser in a model of the laboratory's future accelerator. In 1974 the laboratory was renamed the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, which is commonly abbreviated to Fermilab. At a recent Fermilab event marking his 80th birthday, Goldwasser recalled the heavy political overtones of the decision to site the laboratory in Illinois.