Interesting anecdotes in the history of physics?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around sharing interesting anecdotes from the history of physics, including both true stories and popular myths. Participants contribute various historical accounts related to notable physicists and mathematicians, exploring their personal lives and professional achievements.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Historical
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant recounts the story of Schrödinger's equation, linking its development to his personal life and relationships, including a trip to a ski resort.
  • Another participant shares a humorous anecdote about Hilbert's compliment to Von Neumann during his Ph.D. defense.
  • Several anecdotes are listed, including those involving Einstein, Norbert Wiener, Godfrey Hardy, Lise Meitner, and von Neumann, though details are not provided.
  • A historical account of L'Hospital's correspondence with Bernoulli is presented, highlighting the publication of L'Hospital's rule and the subsequent claims to its discovery.
  • Participants engage in correcting and discussing the spelling of L'Hospital's name, noting inconsistencies in historical records and modern interpretations.
  • A participant reflects on the absence of L'Hospital in a history of mathematics book, suggesting it as an interesting side note.
  • A personal anecdote about Heisenberg is shared, focusing on a participant's experience and admiration for him.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants share various anecdotes and corrections, but no consensus is reached regarding the significance or accuracy of the stories. The discussion remains open-ended with multiple perspectives presented.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the accuracy of historical anecdotes and the spelling of names, as well as the implications of personal relationships on scientific work.

  • #271
Heisenberg's pair production
Here is a short one:

Heisenberg met his future wife in a musical evenings in a publisher’s home. They marry in the next 3 months, later the couple went to the Austrian mountains for their honeymoon. Exactly nine months later, Heisenberg's wife gives birth to fraternal twins in 1938. They name their sons Anna Maria and Wolfgang, the latter after Wolfgang Pauli. When Pauli gets to visit them he congratulates Heisenberg for his:
pair creation

Main source: D.C. Cassidy, Uncertainty : the life and science of Werner Heisenberg, WH Freeman and Company (see also I. Tovordov, Heisenberg, https://arxiv.org/abs/physics/0503235)
 
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