Stamp of honor
While I have nothing against plain postage stamps, I always buy stamps that are beautiful, interesting, or both. Stamps that commemorate filmmaking, American art, figures of literature, architecture and so forth just add a little interest to my day.
I plan to use this series everywhere I can. The USPS is honoring four scientists: Barbara McClintock, John von Neumann, Richard Feynman, and Josiah Gibbs.
All are important (and Von Neumann is a towering figure whose effect on your life and mine is severely under-appreciated) but Richard Feynman is my favorite.
In an era when scientists are regarded as some mysterious “other” – and even as a threat to moral society – I have a special affection for Feynman as a rationalist whose life as a human being is as notable as his accomplishments in science. In addition to doing fundamental research, Feynman was an educator, artist, musician, writer, and bon vivant who broke every stereotype of the white-coated laboratory recluse. I would like more people to know about him.
“What is honored in a country
will be cultivated there.”
- Plato
Here are the USPS descriptions of each scientist, to which I’ve added Wikipedia links:
* Barbara McClintock (1902-1992) conducted maize plant research that led to her discovery of genetic transposition-the movement of genetic material within and between chromosomes. In 1983, this pioneering geneticist was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.
* John von Neumann (1903-1957) made significant contributions in both pure and applied mathematics, especially in the areas of quantum mechanics, game theory, computer theory and design. In 1956, the U.S. government presented the Enrico Fermi Award to this eminent mathematician.
* Richard P. Feynman (1918-1988) developed a new formulation of quantum theory based, in part, on diagrams he invented to help him visualize the dynamics of atomic particles. In 1965, this noted theoretical physicist, enthusiastic educator and amateur artist was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics.
* Josiah Willard Gibbs (1839-1903) formulated the modern system of thermodynamic analysis. For this and other extraordinary achievements, Gibbs received some of the most prestigious awards of his era, including the Rumford Prize from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Who is your favorite scientist? Not just from this tiny group.
I’ve just read Richard Feynman’s book and wrote a review of it on
grans-on-bran
where MrsDoF saw it and told me about this item of yours!
What a wonderful stamp to have and use in everyday life and I’m sure the whole series is great.
I had already done a bit of research on Feynham because I wanted to find out more. Thanks for your views too
Shermer did a short write up on Feynman in the April isuue of Scientific American.
The Feynman-Tufte Principle
I loved the part about the van.
Oh. I finally got the real point of the thread.
A few names come to mind, at least as honorable mentions. As a EE, I have to include Henry.
* Edwin Powell Hubble (1889-1953) was an astronomer who is best known for his red-shift measurements. His findings changed our understanding of the universe and caused Einstein to, famously, abandon the cosmological constant—a term originally included in the field equations of General Relativity. Based on recent red-shift measurements cosmologists have reinstated the constant.
* Claude Elwood Shannon Shannon (1916-2001), a distant relative of Thomas Edison, was an engineer and mathematician. His master’s thesis provided the basic concept that underlies the digital computer—switches can be used to solve boolean logic problems. He made a major theoretical contibution to cryptography and his paper, A Mathematical Theory of Communication, provided a new way of thinking about Boltzmann’s work on statistical mechanics. A list of his inventions include a rocket powered pogo stick and a flame throwing trumpet.
* Joseph Henry (1797-1878) was a scientist who discovered the phenomenon of self inductance. Unfortunately he didn’t publish his findings before Faraday. Henry’s investigation of electromagnetism enabled the invention of the telegraph.
Thanks VernR for the link to the online article. Makes me want to go out and get our car spray-painted with some groovy lines and squiggles
I’ll see if my old brain cells can extend to finding out more about the others, but thanks as well.
… a while later, Verne sent in a remberence from one of his scientist friends, which was too good to hide here in the comments. I’ve made it into its own post here: Claude Shannon story.