Physical basics are considered of using the fission of heavy nuclei as a source of nuclear energy. A detailed analysis of nuclear fission is made in the framework of the first model proposed by N. Bohr and J. A. Wheeler. Further improvements to that model are presented. The basic principles are outlined of the theory of controlled nuclear fission chain reactions. The intricate history of solving the problem of the generation of nuclear energy from fission reactions is traced on the basis of both contemporary scientific publications and following memoirs.

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