First Published Feynman Diagram, 1949

(not included in exhibit)

One of Richard P. Feynman's many contributions to physics was the invention of "Feynman diagrams," which are simple visual representations of the complex formulas that describe the behavior of subatomic particles. This was the first published Feynman diagram. It appeared as Figure 1 on page 772 of Feynman's paper "Space-Time Approach to Quantum Electrodynamics" published in Physical Review volume 76, number 6, pages 769-789 on September 15, 1949.

Reprinted figure with permission from R. P. Feynman, Physical Review 76, p. 769. Copyright 1949 by the American Physical Society.

Readers may view, browse, and/or download material [this diagram] for temporary copying purposes only, provided these uses are for noncommercial personal purposes. Except as provided by law, this material may not be further reproduced, distributed, transmitted, modified, adapted, performed, displayed, published, or sold in whole or part, without prior written permission from the American Physical Society.

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The Feynman Lectures on Physics