The Oppenheimer family is best known for their connection to J. Robert Oppenheimer, a prominent physicist who played a key role in the development of the atomic bomb during World War II as part of the Manhattan Project. The family has a rich history in academia and science, with J. Robert's father, Julius Oppenheimer, being a successful businessman and his mother, Ella Friedman, a painter. The family's legacy extends beyond J. Robert, with his brother, Frank Oppenheimer, also being a physicist and founder of the Exploratorium in San Francisco. The Oppenheimer family has been influential in both scientific and cultural spheres, contributing to various fields throughout the 20th century.