John Bardeen
Co-invented the transistor and developed the BCS theory of superconductivity, winning two Nobel Prizes in Physics.
Most quoted
"This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."
— from Attributed
"A human being is a part of a whole, called by us 'universe', a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings as something separated from the rest... a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness."
— from Attributed
"The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality."
— from Attributed
All quotes by John Bardeen (406)
The transistor changed communication forever, shrinking the world into pockets.
Curiosity is the spark that ignites innovation; without it, science stagnates.
In the quiet hours of calculation, truths emerge that words alone cannot capture.
Family provided the balance to my obsessive pursuit of physics.
Quantum tunneling explains not just particles, but the leaps of human imagination.
Failure in the lab is not defeat; it's data for the next attempt.
The beauty of mathematics lies in its universality, transcending languages and borders.
I never sought fame; the work itself was reward enough.
Solid-state physics is the foundation of tomorrow's technologies.
Humor helps in the face of complex equations—laugh at the absurdity of it all.
The BCS theory was a symphony of ideas from many minds.
Aging scientists must adapt or be left behind by younger minds.
Patents are tools for progress, not treasures to hoard.
The universe operates on principles of symmetry; so should our lives.
Teaching is as vital as research—passing the torch ensures continuity.
War taught me the urgency of applied science for peace.
Innovation thrives in freedom, not bureaucracy.
My heart condition reminded me that even physicists are human, fragile.
The Nobel is a milestone, not the destination.
Particles dance to quantum rules; we merely observe the ballet.
Contemporaries of John Bardeen
Other Physicss born within 50 years of John Bardeen (1908–1991).