On this day back in 1824, French academic painter Jean-Leon Gerome was born. English illustrator Walter Goodman was born in 1838. The great American songwriter Irving Berlin was born in 1888. Choreographer Martha Graham was born in 1894. The great Salvador Dali was born in 1904. Comedians Phil Silvers and Foster Brooks was born in 1911 and 1912.

The brilliant political comedian Mort Sahl is 86 today. And so is the bumbling Colonel Crittendon from Hogan’s Heroes, Bernard Fox. And Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan is 80.

It was hard to pass up Irving Berlin and Salvador Dali, but the day belongs to physicist and curious character Richard Feynman who was born on this day in 1918. He was one of the founders of quantum electrodynamics, which is basically quantum mechanics and relativity all rolled into one. Most people know him from his book, Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! It is a fun book to read, although I was never sure if I believed him. I suppose now I do. When I was younger, I thought he had a good too many wonderful adventures. But now I know it is all in the telling; there isn’t anything especially exotic about the stories. He’s just a good and funny writer.

Happy birthday Richard Feynman!