The hydrogen bomb was invented through the collaborative efforts of several scientists, with Edward Teller often called the "father of the hydrogen bomb." Teller, a Hungarian-American physicist, worked alongside mathematician Stanisław Ulam to create the Teller–Ulam design, which is the basis for modern thermonuclear weapons. This design introduced the concept of staging and using X-rays to ignite fusion, allowing the creation of a powerful fusion bomb. The first hydrogen bomb based on their design was successfully tested in 1952. Another key figure in the actual design and construction of the first hydrogen bomb was Richard L. Garwin, who as a young physicist designed the world's first fusion bomb device known as "Ivy Mike" in 1951-52, based on the concepts proposed by Teller and Ulam. In summary:

• Edward Teller is known as the "father of the hydrogen bomb" and co-inventor of the Teller–Ulam design.
• Stanisław Ulam contributed crucial ideas to the fusion bomb design.
• Richard L. Garwin designed the first practical hydrogen bomb device based on Teller and Ulam's theory.

This collective work led to the first successful fusion bomb test in 1952, marking the invention of the hydrogen bomb.