The Nobel
Prize |
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http://www.basicfeynman.com/speech.html |
In 1965, Richard Feynman was one of three people who shared the Nobel Prize in physics (Sin-Itiro Tomonaga and Julian Schwinger being the other two. This award was given "for their fundamental work in quantum electrodynamics, with deep-ploughing consequences for the physics of elementary particles". (Nobel) Feynman gave a lecture entitled "The Development of the Space-Time View of Quantum Electrodynamics" which talks about his process of scientific investigation which led to winning the Nobel Prize in Physics. A copy of this lecture for whoever may be interested is found here. |
How many physicists have been put on a US stamp? At least one. In 2005, Richard Feynman and several of his Feynman Diagrams were featured on a 37 cent stamp. He was honored in this way because according to the US Postal Service, "The iconic 20th century physicist Richard Feynman invented a method for calculating probabilities of particle interactions using depictions of all the different ways an interaction could occur. Examples of "Feynman diagrams" were included on a 2005 postage stamp honoring Feynman." |
http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/wiredscience/2013/12/feynman-stamp.jpg |
Here is a transcription of Richard Feynman's
speech when accepting the Nobel Prize in 1965. "The work I have done has
already been adequately rewarded and recognized.
Imagination reaches out repeatedly trying to achieve
some higher level of understanding, until suddenly I
find myself momentarily alone before one new corner of
nature's pattern of beauty and true majesty revealed.
That was my reward. Then, having fashioned
tools to make access easier to the new level, I see
these tools used by other men straining their
imaginations against further mysteries beyond. There,
are my votes of recognition. Then comes the Prize, and
the deluge of messages. Reports of fathers turning
excitedly with newspapers in hand to wives; of daughters
running up and down the apartment house ringing
neighbors' door bells with news; victorious cries of "I
told you so" by those having no technical
knowledge—their successful prediction being based on
faith alone; from friends, from relatives, from
students, from former teachers, from scientific
colleagues, from total strangers; formal commendations,
silly jokes, parties, presents; a multitude of messages
in a multitude of forms. But, in each I saw the
same two common elements. I saw in each, joy; and I saw
affection (you see, whatever modesty I may have had has
been completely swept away in recent days). The Prize was a signal to
permit them to express, and me to learn about, their
feelings. Each joy, though transient thrill, repeated in
so many places amounts to a considerable sum of human
happiness. And, each note of affection released thus one
upon another has permitted me to realize a depth of love
for my friends and acquaintances, which I had never felt
so poignantly before. For this, I thank Alfred
Nobel and the many who worked so hard to carry out his
wishes in this particular way. And so, you Swedish
people, with your honors, and your trumpets, and your
king—forgive me. For I understand at last—such things
provide entrance to the heart. Used by a wise and
peaceful people they can generate good feeling, even
love, among men, even in lands far beyond your own. For
that lesson, I thank you." -Richard Feynman |