Got your Feynman stamp yet? In April, the US Postal Service issued commemorative stamps of American scientists, Barbara McClintock, John von Neumann, Richard Feynman and Willard Gibbs.
I'm sure they were all great, but of couse I know the most about Von Neumann, and Feynman. Of those two, only one published a really engaging book entitled, Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman.
I remember hearing Dick Estelle read the book on Radio Reader almost twenty years ago. Feynman was fun, eccentric, funny, willing to try anything, and able to endure terrible personal tragedy. It's clear why he has become something of a hero figure. I'm happy to see him honored, even if it's on a stamp.
Hopefully a new generation will read his stories and learn that being a scientist can be fun.
qv: Berkley Groks Richard Feynman at the Internet Archive