Part 4: I Want My Dollar! Summary and Analysis

Dr. Feynman recounts an incident in which he patents several uses for nuclear energy. While he is working in Los Alamos, an officer from the patent office tells him they want to hear every idea he has for an application of nuclear energy.

Off the top of his head, Feynman rattles off things like, "Nuclear powered airplane, nuclear power rocket, etc." From this interview, Feynman gets his name put on three patents. He has to sign a form saying he has sold his ideas to the United States Government for one dollar. When Feynman asks about this dollar, he is told there is no actual dollar (the paper only says he is selling them for a dollar as a formality). Feynman insists on getting his dollar, however, and the patent officer pays him...