Who Are the Faces Behind Famous Scientific Theories?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the personalities behind famous scientific theories, focusing on the human aspect of historical figures in physics and mathematics. Participants share photos, quotes, and anecdotes related to these individuals, often reflecting on their contributions and the context in which they worked.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Historical
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to connect faces with theories to inspire a deeper understanding of the scientific community.
  • Another participant humorously notes a resemblance of a figure in a photo to a historical figure, Hitler, while also commenting on the naming of theories after individuals who may not have invented them.
  • Discussion about Peter Debye includes claims regarding his involvement with Nazi regulations and the recent decision to rename the Debye Institute due to controversy surrounding his legacy.
  • Observations about the physical appearance of the scientists in the photos, including comments on hair and shoes, are made by multiple participants.
  • Participants share links to images of physicists, including a notable blackboard belonging to Richard Feynman on the day he died, along with a quote attributed to him.
  • There are light-hearted comments about the expressions and demeanor of various scientists in the photographs, including Heisenberg and Curie.
  • A request for a specific photo of Rutherford and Einstein together is made, indicating interest in more personal connections between scientists.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants share a variety of observations and anecdotes, but there is no consensus on specific interpretations or the significance of the individuals discussed. Multiple competing views and humorous remarks coexist without resolution.

Contextual Notes

Some claims about historical figures are based on recent articles and personal interpretations, which may not be universally accepted or verified. The discussion includes speculative comments about the arrangement of individuals in photographs and their expressions, which are subjective.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in the historical context of scientific theories, the personalities behind them, and the social dynamics of the scientific community may find this discussion engaging.

benabean
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Just thought this could be a cool little thread.
When reading over Physics or Maths theories, often getting bogged down in the literature, I love putting a face to the ideas and theories which were often hard to swallow for many of the scientific community at the time. Seeing a picture of the person always gives the 'awe' from theories a little human touch and personally inspires my thirst for knowledge.

If you have any photos or even quotes you like please post them here with links if possible.

I'll start it off with...

1927 Solvay Conference attendees
 
Science news on Phys.org
Holy crap, that guy in the way way way left and back looks like HITLER!

PS a lot of theories are named after people that did NOT invent them!
 
Cyrus said:
Holy crap, that guy in the way way way left and back looks like HITLER!
That would be Debye.

There was a recent article about Debye (a year or two ago) in Physics Today, that claimed that he was a passive instrument of Nazi regulations that banned Jews from University positions, and that Einstein lobbied against him, when he came to the US in the '40s.
 
Gokul43201 said:
That would be Debye.

There was a recent article about Debye (a year or two ago) in Physics Today, that claimed that he was a passive instrument of Nazi regulations that banned Jews from University positions, and that Einstein lobbied against him, when he came to the US in the '40s.

And the Debye Institute at the University of Utrecht recently voted to change its name to something less controversial.

If I was Peter Debye I would have strongly reconsidered my moustache.
 
Did you notice that most of them have little or no hair at all
 
AhmedEzz said:
Did you notice that most of them have little or no hair at all
Their shoes all look identical as well
 
Heisenberg looks like he's up to something! (Last row, towards the right.)
 
do you think that they are arranged from the first to the last row, as order of their recognition and contribution??
 
When I see Pauli at that age, I think "Addams Family"
 
  • #10
Feynman's blackboard on the day he died; 15 Feb 1988

Link
 
  • #11
benabean said:
Feynman's blackboard on the day he died; 15 Feb 1988

Link

"What I cannot create, I do not understand"
 
  • #12
lisab said:
Heisenberg looks like he's up to something! (Last row, towards the right.)

he and Freud :confused:(middle back row dark beard) are the only ones who look happy too
 
  • #13
Curie needs to lay off the radium... She look more manly than half the other people there.
 
  • #14
You want photos of physicists? Here you go.

http://th.physik.uni-frankfurt.de/~jr/physlist.html
 
  • #15
turbo-1 said:
You want photos of physicists? Here you go.

http://th.physik.uni-frankfurt.de/~jr/physlist.html

bohrpaul.jpg


Bohr & Pauli pondering over a spinning top 35kB


if that top wasn't there, I would think they're doing something else besides 'pondering'


Bohr & Pauli pondering over a spinning top 35kB
(the link is down in the section called 'Clusters of Physicists'
 
  • #16
Since this thread is here, does anyone know of a picture showing Rutherford and Einstein together? No, not the Solvay one - actually together.
 

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