Born on March 14, 1879, in Ulm, Germany, Albert Einstein grew up in Munich, where he showed an early fascination with mathematics and science. Despite a brief period of academic struggle, he excelled in physics and mathematics, ultimately enrolling at the Swiss Federal Polytechnic in Zurich. In 1901, he graduated and took a job at the Swiss Patent Office, a move that would unexpectedly set the stage for his greatest scientific breakthroughs.

The Miracle Year: 1905

In 1905, often called his “Annus Mirabilis” (Miracle Year), Einstein published four papers that changed physics forever:

  • Photoelectric Effect: Provided evidence for quantum theory by showing that light behaves both as a wave and as discrete particles called quanta (or photons). This work won him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921.
  • Brownian Motion: Demonstrated the existence of atoms by explaining the random motion of particles in a fluid.
  • Special Theory of Relativity: Introduced the famous equation E=mc², showing that mass and energy are interchangeable.
  • Mass-Energy Equivalence: Proved that even a small amount of mass could be converted into vast amounts of energy, a principle later central to nuclear energy and weapons.

 

 

General Relativity and Worldwide Fame

Einstein’s 1915 General Theory of Relativity expanded his earlier work, redefining gravity as the warping of space-time by massive objects. His predictions were confirmed in 1919 when astronomers observed the bending of starlight during a solar eclipse. This discovery catapulted him to worldwide fame, making him a scientific icon.

Later Years and Legacy

Fleeing Nazi Germany in 1933, Einstein emigrated to the United States, where he joined the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton. Though a pacifist, he signed a letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt warning that Nazi Germany might develop an atomic bomb, inadvertently contributing to the Manhattan Project. In his later years, Einstein advocated for nuclear disarmament, civil rights, and international cooperation. He continued working on a unified theory of physics until his death on April 18, 1955. Albert Einstein’s work laid the foundation for modern physics, influencing everything from GPS technology to black hole research. His intellectual curiosity, humanitarian efforts, and revolutionary ideas continue to inspire scientists and thinkers around the world.