Postal service gives scientists stamps of approval

The U.S. Postal Service has issued four new stamps to celebrate pioneering American scientists Barbara McClintock, John von Neumann, Richard Feynman, and Josiah Willard Gibbs. Each stamp features a picture of the scientist and artwork evoking their research:

Geneticist Barbara McClintock (1902-1992), whose research on maize plants led her to discover the principle of "genetic transposition." Her research greatly advanced our understanding of how genes function. For her work, she was honored with the 1983 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Thermodynamicist Josiah Willard Gibbs (1839-1903), who devised the modern system of thermodynamic analysis. His research also had an important influence on the manufacturing industries of the day. He received the Rumford Prize from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Mathematician John von Neumann (1903-1957), who contributed to many branches of mathematics, as well as quantum mechanics, game theory, computational theory, and computer design. He also helped to develop atomic weapons in WWII. He was the recipient of the 1956 Enrico Fermi Award.

Physicist Richard P. Feynman (1918-1988) also helped develop atomic weapons in WWII. Through the development of his innovative "Feynman diagrams," designed to better show particle behavior, he simplified the field of quantum electrodynamics. An enthusiastic and inspiring teacher, Feynman shared the 1965 Nobel Prize in Physics with Sin-Itiro Tomonaga and Julian Schwinger.

Other science-themed stamp sets for 2005 include the "Northeast Deciduous Forest" set (released in April), "Masterworks of Modern American Architecture" (June), "Advances in Aviation" (summer), and "Constellations" (October).

John Gaeddert is in the Public Relations Department at CSICOP, the Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal.