Author, Author

Eureka! What a discovery! Michael Crichton “inspired” such films as “The Lost World” and “Disclosure” (“Close to a Blockbuster Guarantee?,” by Robert W. Welkos, Jan. 4).

Next we may discover Melville inspired “Moby Dick.” Or Hemingway inspired “The Sun Also Rises” or Faulkner inspired “Sanctuary.” We may even discover “Hamlet” was inspired by a country lad named Will Shakespeare!

CECIL SMITH

San Luis Obispo

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While it is true that Crichton is a prolific and well-respected author, please give credit where credit is due. While Crichton directed the film, the author of the novel “Coma” is Robin Cook.

SHARLENE ROTH

Los Angeles

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Welkos makes the mistake of attributing quantum theory to Richard Feynman in 1981. Feynman was a great physicist but not the founder of quantum theory. Quantum theory was developed by Werner Heisenberg in 1920.

HAROLD S. HALLER

Cleveland

Editor’s note: According to Times science writer K.C. Cole, quantum theory is the work of many physicists over many decades. Feynman made important contributions to making the theory work.