HISTORY
Albert Einstein, born in the German Empire, moved to Switzerland in 1895 and became a Swiss citizen in 1901. He worked at the Swiss Patent Office and earned his PhD in 1905, publishing groundbreaking papers on the photoelectric effect, Brownian motion, special relativity, and mass-energy equivalence formula, E =mc². In 1915, he proposed the general theory of relativity. He also contributed to quantum mechanics and won the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics for his discovery of the photoelectric effect.
Einstein fled Nazi Germany in 1933, became a U.S. citizen in 1940, and contributed to the U.S. nuclear research effort. He also co-developed the laser’s fundamental theory and the concept of wormholes. Later in his career, he worked on quantum theory and attempted to create a unified field theory. He was named Time’s Person of the Century in 1999.
Einstein often expressed that if he weren’t a physicist, he would be a musician. He thought, daydreamed, and found joy in music throughout his life.
Einstein suffered internal bleeding from a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm on April 17, 1955. He brought a draft of a speech for Israel’s seventh anniversary to the hospital but died before completing it.
EARLY LIFE
- Born: March 14, 1879, in Ulm, Germany.
- Parents: Hermann and Pauline Einstein; father was an engineer and businessman.
- Childhood: Grew up in Munich.
- Education:
- Attended Luitpold Gymnasium, struggled with rigid teaching.
- Developed a passion for mathematics and physics.
- Interest in Science: Inspired by a compass at age 5.
- Family Move: Moved to Italy in 1894 due to financial struggles.
- Left School Early: Quit formal schooling at 16.
- Higher Studies: Enrolled in Swiss Federal Polytechnic, Zurich (1896).
- Graduated: 1900 with a degree in physics and mathematics.
INTERESTING FACTS
- Unusual Birth: His family initially thought his head shape was malformed.
- Late Speaker: Struggled with speech, speaking fluently only at age 9.
- Interest in Science: A compass at age 5 fascinated him, sparking his curiosity.
- Failed College Entrance Exam: Passed math and science, failed history, languages, and geography.
- Urged the U.S. to Build the Atomic Bomb: Warned Roosevelt about Nazi nuclear threats but was excluded from the project.
- Einstein’s Brain Preserved: Autopsy doctor Thomas Stoltz Harvey kept and studied his brain.
- Talented Violinist: Learned violin at age 6, considered music as an alternate career.
- Three Nationalities: Held German, Swiss, and American citizenship.
- Disliked Science Fiction: Thought it misled people about real science.
- Declined Israeli Presidency (1952): Was offered but rejected the role due to old age.
ACHIEVEMENTS
- Theory of Relativity (1905 & 1915): Developed the Special Relativity (1905) and General Relativity (1915) theories, revolutionizing physics.
- E =mc² Equation (1905): Introduced the mass-energy equivalence formula, showing energy and mass are interchangeable.
- Nobel Prize in Physics (1921): Awarded for his work on the photoelectric effect, crucial to quantum mechanics.
- Photoelectric Effect (1905): Explained how light behaves as both a wave and particle, leading to quantum physics.
- Brownian Motion (1905): Proved the existence of atoms and molecules, confirming atomic theory.
- Predicted Gravitational Lensing (1915): Showed that massive objects bend light, later confirmed by solar eclipse observations.
- Contributed to the Manhattan Project (1939): Warned Roosevelt about Nazi nuclear plans, leading to the development of the atomic bomb.
- Unified Field Theory Attempt: Worked on combining gravity and electromagnetism, through never completed.
- Founded the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1925): Helped establish this institution to promote science and education.
- Advocated for Civil Rights and Pacifism: Spoke against racism, war, and nuclear weapons, supporting human rights worldwide.