People Archives

Richard Feynman’s Education: From MIT to Princeton

How did Richard Feynman feel when Einstein attended one of his lectures? Why did an army general recruit Feynman when he was working on his doctorate? In his memoir Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!, Richard Feynman recounts his years in school at MIT and Princeton, comparing and contrasting the two environments. He also explains how WWII shaped the start of his career. Keep reading to learn about Richard Feynman’s education.

Richard Feynman, The Manhattan Project, and a New World

What was Richard Feynman’s contribution to the Manhattan Project? How did he look back on the experience? In the early 1940s, Richard Feynman was working on his doctorate at Princeton. An army general arrived on campus to recruit physicists. Feynman signed up, having no idea how his decision would change his life and put him at the center of a project that would change the world. Read more to learn about Richard Feynman, the Manhattan Project, and the dawning of a new era.

Richard Feynman at Caltech & the Path to His Academic Home

What did Richard Feynman do before he taught at Caltech? Why was Caltech such a good fit for him? For Richard Feynman, Caltech was home—academically speaking. His career took a few turns before he settled in at Caltech. And, he grew in his understanding of what it meant—for him—to be a teacher. He tells the story in his memoir Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! Continue reading to learn a bit about Feynman’s time at Caltech and the path he took to get there.

Richard Feynman: Teaching Is Good for the Teacher & the Student

The Importance of Studying Mythology and Folklore

What teaching practice horrified Richard Feynman? What shocked him about textbooks? While Richard Feynman injected his lifelong learning with a casual sense of fun and exploration, one thing he took very seriously was his role as a teacher. In his memoir Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! he writes about his trials and triumphs in teaching. Keep reading to learn about Richard Feynman’s teaching experience and what it taught him.

Richard Feynman: Science Requires Intellectual Honesty

What’s Richard Feynman’s approach to science? What should scientists do with doubt? What’s every scientist’s responsibility? According to Richard Feynman, science is a serious business. Feynman is known for having fun and enjoying his work, but he also has a reputation for integrity in his field. In his memoir, he writes about the importance of intellectual honesty and accountability in science. Continue reading to learn Feynman’s views on the practice and profession of science.

Richard Feynman’s Personality: The Playful Scientist

Did you hear about the time Richard Feynman attended a dance party for deaf students? Did you know he was a drummer with a samba band in Rio? Nobel laureate Richard Feynman is known for his scientific accomplishments. He’s also known for being fun. Never one to turn down an adventure, he seized joy throughout his life. His personality shines through in his memoir Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! Continue reading for a look at Richard Feynman’s personality as revealed through a few stories in his memoir.

Richard Feynman’s Art—What’s the Story Behind It?

Why did Richard Feynman take up art? How was it a good counterbalance to his work in math and science? Nobel laureate Richard Feynman is known for science, not art. But, later in his life, he responded to a challenge to learn how to draw. Through the experience, he learned far more than how to create art. Read more to learn about Richard Feynman, art, and the wonders of learning.

Young Richard Feynman: A Toy Microscope & Trig for Fun

What was Richard Feynman’s reputation when he was young? Why did he buy broken radios? Though Richard Feynman’s recollections in his memoir may seem to bounce from topic to topic at random, they all exemplify certain key values that underlie Feynman’s idiosyncratic personality. They emerge in his childhood, developing his reputation early on. Continue reading for an exploration of the young Richard Feynman.

Richard Feynman at Los Alamos: Serious Business & a Bit of Fun

How did Richard Feynman irritate the folks in the Los Alamos mail room? Why did he consider it his patriotic duty to break into his colleagues’ file cabinets? Richard Feynman’s Los Alamos experience blended serious business with enjoyment. This first stop on his professional journey set the pattern for his career. In his memoir, he talks about some of the work he did on the Manhattan Project and shares some of the lighter moments. Keep reading to learn about Richard Feynman at Los Alamos.