Memorialization: Nanotechnology's Grandfather - Dr. Richard Phillips Feynman

The field of nanotechnology was originally launched from a lecture given by the late Richard P. Feynman at the California Institute of Technology in 1960. Here is a link to the appropriate transcribed talk in formal publication from CalTech- http://calteches.library.caltech.edu/1976/1/1960Bottom.pdf

The gist of the talk was an interdisciplinary approach to building molecular machines in ways other than (but not exclusive to) organic or inorganic syntheses. Feynman correctly reasoned that 1960s technology could build those types of machines.  At that time, his talk was viewed as the ‘ingenious’ Feynman lecture—a brilliant idea that was theoretically possible but impractical in terms of cost. 

Not meaning to disparage the Nobel laureate by any means, he is mostly remembered for his brilliant contributions to Quantum Electrodynamics, his book of lectures for University physics students, and his brilliant analysis of the Shuttle Challenger disaster. His genius is often imitated but never duplicated. For anyone who doesn’t know of  him, he was uniquely gifted— you maybe able to find his quick summary and insights in this comprehensive YouTube video for the Challenger disaster— 


While the Dr. Feynman's insights are legendary, the shuttle program was perhaps more complicated than the Apollo program-- more insights are here:

                             https://youtu.be/-O_DMyHdq_M 

Dr. Feynman's  personality is forever memorialized in a pair of classic, popular science books, Surely You Are Joking Mr. Feynman? and What Do You Care What Other People Think?. In his two books, Dr. Feynman waxes prophetically and profanely. His tour de force adventures are the stuff of legend for those who can remember him. The books read as if this mere man of genius could outfox any problem or person. [His third popular science book, Tuva - Or Bust!, was published after his death and is not as well known.]The period of time in the books cover his adventures in graduate school to his work on the first Atomic bombs during WWII to his adventures of playing the bongos as a professor and cracking safe combinations at Los Alamos. It is funny, profound, and tragic, all at once.

Perspective

We need more scientists like the late professor Feynman. Despite any foibles of personality, his example of a scientist is needed in this time of conspiracy theory and untruth. It is correctly overheard in hushed tones, he was that genius who could transcend time. 


REFERENCES:

Nanotechnology:

K. Eric Drexler, Nanosystems, 1992.





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