Richard Feynman

American theoretical physicist. Pioneer in quantum mechanics and quantum computing, Nobel laureate.

[ Born: 1918 / New York, USA ]

[ Died: 1988 / Los Angeles, USA. ]

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• While still in his early 20s, Feynman worked as a junior physicist on the Manhattan Project.
• Developed a model for the weak decay of a neutron to an electron and positron, which combined with Fermi’s beta decay theory in 1933 provided a more complete explanation of the process.
• Researched the physics of supercooled liquids, Helium in particular, and described its “superfluidity” or lack of viscosity when flowing.
• Famously developed “Feynmann Diagrams” which gave graphical representations for the interaction of electrons and positrons, matter and spacetime – these diagrams are now fundamental for string theory and M-theory.
• Feynman received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1965 along with Schwinger and Tomonaga for contributions in the field of quantum electrodynamics

Trivia - Feynynman’s reputation as prankster, safecracker, juggler, painter and bongo player did much to publicise and popularise science and particularly physics through the 20th century. Feynman was also on the committee which investigated the “Challenger” space shuttle disaster in the 80s.

Image from sosaapt.org