Albert Einstein is most famous for the equation E=mc², which transformed our understanding of the world by revealing that mass and energy are interchangeable. This led to insights into nuclear reactions and the immense energy within atoms and fundamentally reshaped how we view matter and the universe.
Born in the Kingdom of Württemberg in the German Empire in 1879. A curious mind trapped within the rigid educational systems of his time, he famously clashed with authorities, leading many to mistakenly label him a problematic student.
In 1905, while working as a patent clerk in Bern, Einstein introduced the world to the special theory of relativity, encapsulated by the equation E=mc^2. This equation articulated the relationship between energy (E) and mass (m), with “c” being the speed of light. But that monumental year, often called his “annus mirabilis,” also saw papers on the photoelectric effect, later earning him a Nobel Prize in Physics.
His general theory of relativity, published in 1915, proposed a groundbreaking new interpretation of gravitation. This theory was confirmed during the 1919 solar eclipse, catapulting Einstein to international stardom.
Beyond physics, Einstein was deeply engaged with the social issues of his day. A pacifist at heart, the devastation of World War I made him reconsider his stance. With the rise of Nazi power in the 1930s, Einstein, a Jew, fled to the United States. Here, he became an advocate for civil rights, building a lasting friendship with African American civil rights leader W.E.B. Du Bois and voicing support for the efforts of leaders like Martin Luther King Jr.
Einstein’s work laid the foundation for countless modern technological advancements, from GPS systems, which account for relativistic effects, to understanding quantum mechanics.
Further reading: Albert Einstein
