U.S. Postage Stamps Celebrate a Century of Science
Thermodynamicist Josiah Willard Gibbs, geneticist Barbara McClintock, mathematician John von Neumann and physicist Richard P. Feynman were honored with postage stamps dedicated in a special ceremony at Henry R. Luce Hall, Yale University, New Haven, CT. The stamps became available at Post Offices and Philatelic Centers nationwide May 5. “These are some of the greatest scientists of our time, their pioneering discoveries still influence our lives today,” said John F. Walsh, a member of the U.S. Postal Service’s Board of Governors, who dedicated the stamp. Joining Walsh were Paul A. Fleury, Dean of Engineering, Yale University; Michelle Feynman, Feynman’s daughter; Marina Whitman, Von Neumann’s daughter; Marjorie M. Bhavnani, McClintock’s niece; John Willard Gibbs III, Gibbs’ cousin; John Marburger, Director, Office of Science Technology; and Victor Stabin, stamp artist. Honored guests included Richard Levin, President, Yale University and John DeStefano, Mayor, New Haven, CT. “This is truly an honor for not only science enthusiasts and scientists, but for our community as well,” said DeStefano. “As a life-long resident of New Haven, I am thrilled these beautiful scientist stamps are being issued here.” Artist Victor Stabin started with collages featuring portraits of the scientists and drawings associated with their major contributions to create the stamps. Information about the specific elements in each collage is printed on the back of each stamp.