Sunday Stamps - science: Denmark, West Germany

As part of my degree course at St Andrews University in the 1950s I had to study Atomic Physics for a term. That's where I first heard of Niels Bohr's Atomic theory.

Denmark - 21 Nov !963

In 1813 Bohr had proposed a theory for the hydrogen atom based on quantum theory that energy is transferred only in well defined quantities. Electrons move round the nucleus in prescribed orbits and when they jump from one orbit to another with lower energy a light quantum is emitted.

These stamps were issued to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his theory. His atomic model depicts a positive charged nucleus surrounded by electrons travelling in circular orbits defined by their energy level.

By the time of this anniversary we had seen the first Russian space flight (1961). Equipment used to track this event had included radio  telescopes.

This one appeared on a German stamp.

West Germany - 15 July 1975

For more science related stamps follow the links at Sunday Stamps - lunar

Science - Sunday Stamps II

One thing we have in common, even if it's different in each one of us, is DNA.

Great Britain - Millennium Series, The Scientists' Tale

Mike Curtis is a sculptor whose depictions are shown on this 1999 stamp. Unfortunately these show a spiral and not the DNA double helix. I wonder why the Royal Mail has, so far, not had stamps for Watson and Crick - perhaps they have to be dead first!

USA commemorated a number of its scientists at least three of whom were Nobel Prize winners for their work

USA - 16 June 2011

Watson and Crick have appeared on Swedish stamps if not the British.

In 2006 the Distinguished American series included scientists who developed polio vaccines. One was for Dr Jonas Salk and the other - 

 USA - Dr Albert Sabin, 8 March 2006

I believe it's time British scientists were commemorated too. There have been few so far.

Check out the links at Sunday-Stamps-II-83 for other science related issues.