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Drawing Theories Apart: The Dispersion of Feynman Diagrams in Postwar Physics
Winner of the 2007 Pfizer Prize from the History of Science Society.
Feynman diagrams have revolutionized nearly every aspect of theoretical physics since the middle of the twentieth century. Introduced by the American physicist Richard Feynman (1918-88) soon after World War II as a means of simplifying lengthy calculations in quantum electrodynamics, they soon gained adherents in many branches of the discipline. Yet as new physicists adopted the tiny line drawings, they also adapted the diagrams and introduced their own interpretations. Drawing Theories Apart traces how generations of young theorists learned to frame their research in terms of the diagrams—and how both the diagrams and their users were molded in the process.
Drawing on rich archival materials, interviews, and more than five hundred scientific articles from the period, Drawing Theories Apart uses the Feynman diagrams as a means to explore the development of American postwar physics. By focusing on the ways young physicists learned new calculational skills, David Kaiser frames his story around the crafting and stabilizing of the basic tools in the physicist's kit—thus offering the first book to follow the diagrams once they left Feynman's hands and entered the physics vernacular.
Feynman diagrams have revolutionized nearly every aspect of theoretical physics since the middle of the twentieth century. Introduced by the American physicist Richard Feynman (1918-88) soon after World War II as a means of simplifying lengthy calculations in quantum electrodynamics, they soon gained adherents in many branches of the discipline. Yet as new physicists adopted the tiny line drawings, they also adapted the diagrams and introduced their own interpretations. Drawing Theories Apart traces how generations of young theorists learned to frame their research in terms of the diagrams—and how both the diagrams and their users were molded in the process.
Drawing on rich archival materials, interviews, and more than five hundred scientific articles from the period, Drawing Theories Apart uses the Feynman diagrams as a means to explore the development of American postwar physics. By focusing on the ways young physicists learned new calculational skills, David Kaiser frames his story around the crafting and stabilizing of the basic tools in the physicist's kit—thus offering the first book to follow the diagrams once they left Feynman's hands and entered the physics vernacular.
376 pages, Paperback
First published June 15, 2005
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About the author
David Kaiser
45 books29 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
David Kaiser is an associate professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he teaches in the Program in Science, Technology, and Society and the Department of Physics. He and his family live in Natick, Massachusetts.
David Kaiser is an associate professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he teaches in the Program in Science, Technology, and Society and the Department of Physics. He and his family live in Natick, Massachusetts.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 23, 2020
Let's begin with a certain fact: a fully employed physicist would resist the claim that he or she was on the same level as Richard Feynman. My point is not to assess the qualifications of those working physicists who are helping us prepare for the end of the world. I wish them all the luck they need. What I am trying to do is determine what makes Feynman a recognizable figure beyond the limited range of professional physicists.
I think I have a right to do this because I don't believe the community of working physicists have been altogether forthcoming in the impact of their professional commitments. Besides that, I would not want to hear from them because the majority are far too boring.
Let's take up the case of Richard Feynman. If you know anything about Richard Feynman, you know he created his three volume set of lectures titled, "Feynman Lectures on Physics." It's good to think of this work. It's magnificent in the same way the Sistine Chapel is magnificent. But most people aren't willing to pay an entrance fee just to browse through the lectures.
Here I will quote Gloria Lubkin: "The diagram you see scattered throughout this issue is a reminder of the legacy of Richard Feynman left to us..." Physics Today, 1989. If we think of people only in terms of the consequences of their actions/performances/deeds/thoughts, then Feynman will be known as the creator of diagrams. These diagrams helped many to make the complex calculations required in particle physics to appear less complicated. You could say that Feynman was one of physics best rhetoricians: creating an audience beyond a narrow range of specialist knowledge.
The book under review attempts to give an account of this complex transaction between the physics community, the lay audience, and the creator himself. Happy reading.
I think I have a right to do this because I don't believe the community of working physicists have been altogether forthcoming in the impact of their professional commitments. Besides that, I would not want to hear from them because the majority are far too boring.
Let's take up the case of Richard Feynman. If you know anything about Richard Feynman, you know he created his three volume set of lectures titled, "Feynman Lectures on Physics." It's good to think of this work. It's magnificent in the same way the Sistine Chapel is magnificent. But most people aren't willing to pay an entrance fee just to browse through the lectures.
Here I will quote Gloria Lubkin: "The diagram you see scattered throughout this issue is a reminder of the legacy of Richard Feynman left to us..." Physics Today, 1989. If we think of people only in terms of the consequences of their actions/performances/deeds/thoughts, then Feynman will be known as the creator of diagrams. These diagrams helped many to make the complex calculations required in particle physics to appear less complicated. You could say that Feynman was one of physics best rhetoricians: creating an audience beyond a narrow range of specialist knowledge.
The book under review attempts to give an account of this complex transaction between the physics community, the lay audience, and the creator himself. Happy reading.
June 19, 2023
A great view into the development and spread of Feynman Diagrams in physics, why they took over and how they changed in the hands of their users. It really highlights the importance of tacit knowledge---skills/techniques learned through mentorship, collaboration and human contact. When the technique diversified in its use, several schools of use emerged and students who use feynman diagrams in particular ways can trace their legacy to those schools.
This book has a tonne of references and notebook doodlings drawn by famous physicists when they were students or practitioners themselves. It gives you a greater appreciation of the tools used by theorists and a unique way to study their history. I would definitely recommend this to physics graduate students especially theorists
This book has a tonne of references and notebook doodlings drawn by famous physicists when they were students or practitioners themselves. It gives you a greater appreciation of the tools used by theorists and a unique way to study their history. I would definitely recommend this to physics graduate students especially theorists
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews