In 1959, Birden and Jordan of Mound Laboratories patented the concept of the radioisotope thermoelectric generator (RTG), which captures the heat generated by natural radioactive decay and coverts that heat into electricity through various forms of energy conversion technology.  Over the next 55 years, RTGs have undergone numerous evolutions of technology, including: transitioning from <sup>144</sup>Ce, the first radioisotope used in the SNAP-1A, to the <sup>238</sup>Pu used in all US RTGs today; establishing the best chemical form for the radioisotope for both safety and practical application; use of thermoelectric, thermionic, and dynamic conversion technologies; and development of a safety envelope that assured intact recovery of the radioactive material from nearly any conceived accident scenario.  This historical review will discuss the technological evolution of the US RTG program and will include many of the political pressures that molded the program throughout its history; from the Hall of Fame Invention by Birden and Jordan to the RTG that currently powers the Mars rover, Curiosity.  Final remarks will discuss the current state of the US RTG program and cover many of the technological challenges that the program is likely to face over the next several decades.

Historical overview of radioisotope thermoelectric generators

249th National Meeting (2015)

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