Know your scientist: Richard Feynman

Richard Phillips Feynman was born in New York City on May 11, 1918. The American theoretical physicist was best known for discovering the theory of quantum electrodynamics, the physics of the superfluidity of supercooled liquid helium, and his work in quantum mechanics and particle physics. He also came up with the idea of nanotechnology and was one of the earliest pioneers in the field of quantum computing.

His academic achievements include New York University Math Championship which he won during his senior year at Far Rockaway High School, a Bachelor of Science degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a Ph.D. from Princeton in 1939. Despite his intellect, Feynman was an avid prankster, so much so that his autobiography is titled “Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman”.

In 1943, Feynman and Hans Bethe derived the Bethe-Feynman efficiency formula or the formula for calculating the yield of a fission bomb. Feynman also worked on the Manhattan project -- which developed the earliest nuclear weapons -- while he was still a student at Princeton.

The highlight of Richard Feynman career as a scientist was when he won a Nobel prize in 1965. He shared the spotlight with along with fellow scientists Tomonaga and Julian Schwinger. The prize was awarded based on “their fundamental work in quantum electrodynamics, with deep-ploughing consequences for the physics of elementary particles". He also won the Albert Einstein Award in 1954 and the Lawrence Award in 1962.