'To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination and marks real advance in science.' - Albert Einstein
History
The history of nanotechnology began in the 9th century Europe with stained glass. Stained glass was commonly used in cathedrals and churches. It contained silver, copper, and other metallic nano particles. Nanotechnology continued into the 13th through 18th centuries as Damascus saber blades. These saber blades used carbon nanotubes and cementite nano wires to give the swordsman unique advantages. In the 20th century, nanotechnology was closely studied, and, in 1959, was discussed in a lecture. 1959 was the year when nanotechnology became known world-wide by Professor Richard P. Feynman. Since then, nanotechnology has grown in popularity, with organizations such as the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) started by United States President Clinton and the NNI Environmental, Health, and Safety Research. Much progress has been made medically, including the prevention and treatment of cancer. Everyday, new progress and advancements are made in nanotechnology, opening new doors to science and saving lives.
|
Richard Feynman
Richard Feynman can arguably be called the pioneer of nanotechnology. In 1959, he gave a lecture at the California Institute of Technology discussing engineering and technology on an atomic level. It was the first lecture given in history that debated nanotechnology and what it was. By giving this speech, Feynman introduced the whole world to nanotechnology and sparked the interest of many in the scientific community. He inspired future and later nano scientists, including Gordon Moore, Gerd Binning, and Heinrich Rohrer. Without Feynman's legendary speech, the shape of nanotechnology could have been drastically changed.
Richard Phillips Feynman was born May 11, 1918 in Queens, New York to first time parents Lucille Phillips and Melville Feynman. He grew up alongside his only sibling, younger sister Joan Feynman, who later became an astrophysicist. Richard went to college in 1939 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and got his B.Sc, then he went to Princeton in 1942, where he obtained his Ph.D. Following college, Feynman continued pursuing his science dream. He was a professor at many universities, including Cornell University and the California Institute of Technology. Feynman also received many awards towards his science and technological advancements. He married three times, but only had children with one wife, Gweneth Howarth. On February 15th, 1988, Richard Feynman passed away at the age of 69, leaving behind an imprint on science like no other. ''The idea is to try to give all the information to help others to judge the value of your contribution; not just the information that leads to judgement in one particular direction or another." - Richard P. Feynman |