Simon van der Meer



Simon van der Meer (November 24, 1925 – March 4, 2011) was a Dutch accelerator physicist who won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1984 for his contributions to the project which led to the discovery of the W and Z particles at CERN.

Quotes

 * Above all, it's creative thinking that lies at the basis of discoveries. You must dare to think differently, see things from different sides, in order to come across fortuitous new ideas frequently. You should develop even the most stupid ideas and when you do this systematically, there will always come something useful out of it.
 * in De Libero van het CERN. Jaarboek 1985. Vereniging voor Technische Physica. TU Delft. p. 61.