A couple of comments here focus on the ability to play -- which is important -- and on blue sky thinking, etc. All very important, true!
But what really strikes me is how this situation Feynman was in is a perfect example of Deep Work. He could expore whatever his mind needed to explore, and do it for as long and in whatever way he needed.
I'm pretty sure this is an often overlooked success factor for his Nobel win.
Very true. I guess in my original comment I meant to imply this in talking about blue sky thinking and following through on it. For me this is work which is original, out of leftfield, probably intrinsically motivated and which you have the time to follow through on deeply for a sustained period of time.
I definitely agree on this being a factor in his, and likely several other, Nobel wins
Actually Feynman did an opposite of Deep Work for that case, he literally worked in strip-club on purpose.
By today standard it's like working with reddit open, gamepad on your lap and pornhub on second laptop.
If I had to make a fancy explanation I'd say "turn your work to a lifestyle so you naturally do it while entertaining".
But what really strikes me is how this situation Feynman was in is a perfect example of Deep Work. He could expore whatever his mind needed to explore, and do it for as long and in whatever way he needed.
I'm pretty sure this is an often overlooked success factor for his Nobel win.