1 Birth and Early Childhood
Einstein was born on March 14, 1879, in a small town called Ulm in southern Germany.
His parents were Jewish, with his father Hermann running a small factory that produced feather quilts, while his mother Pauline was responsible for household chores.
Young Einstein was slower to speak compared to other children, which caused his parents to worry.
However, it was later discovered that this was because he tended to think deeply before speaking.
2 School Years and Awakening to Science
At the age of five, Einstein was deeply fascinated by a small compass his father had given him.
This experience sparked his interest in science.
While it may seem like a small event, this moment opened the door for him to become the great scientist he would one day be.
At school, Einstein struggled with the rigid educational system and often clashed with his teachers.
However, he displayed extraordinary talent in mathematics and physics, even teaching himself Euclidean geometry by the age of 12.
3 University Days and Employment Struggles
In 1895, at the age of 16, Einstein took the entrance exam for the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich but failed in the general education subjects.
He then spent a year studying at a school in Aarau, Switzerland, before retrying the exam the following year and passing.
During his university days, Einstein was more engrossed in his independent research than in attending classes, which confused his professors.
After graduating in 1900, he found it difficult to secure an academic position and made a living as a tutor and other such jobs for a couple of years.
4 Patent Office Years and the “Miracle Year”
In 1902, Einstein finally secured a job at the patent office in Bern.
This position turned out to be quite fortunate for him, as the task of examining patents honed both his analytical and creative skills.
In 1905, at the age of 26, Einstein published three papers that would revolutionize the history of physics.
This year is referred to as his “miracle year.”
- Quantum Hypothesis of Light: This paper proposed that light has the properties of particles, laying the foundation for future quantum mechanics.
- Theory of Brownian Motion: This indirectly proved the existence of molecules, contributing to the establishment of atomic theory.
- Special Theory of Relativity: This theory overturned the conventional understanding of time and space, leading to the famous equation E=mc².
These papers brought about a revolution in the world of physics.
5 General Theory of Relativity and Worldwide Fame
In 1915, Einstein completed the General Theory of Relativity.
This theory explained gravity as the curvature of space-time, presenting a new perspective on the structure of the universe.
In 1919, Einstein became famous worldwide when the General Theory of Relativity was confirmed by Arthur Eddington’s solar eclipse observations.
6 Nobel Prize and Visit to Japan
In 1921, Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect.
Interestingly, it was not for his theory of relativity, but for the photoelectric effect that he received the prize.
In 1922, he visited Japan and stayed for two months.
The enthusiastic reception he received in Japan was a testament to his global fame.
7 The Rise of the Nazis and Exile
In 1933, with the rise of the Nazi regime in Germany, Einstein, being Jewish, felt his life was in danger and sought refuge in the United States.
He continued his research at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton while also actively participating in anti-war and nuclear disarmament movements.
8 Later Years and Legacy
In his later years, Einstein continued his research, aiming to complete the Unified Field Theory, but this goal was never achieved.
He passed away on April 18, 1955, at the age of 76 due to the rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
His contributions laid the foundation for modern science and technology.
Technologies that are deeply integrated into our daily lives, such as the GPS system and nuclear power generation, would not exist without his theories.
Moreover, Einstein is not only remembered as a scientist but also as a pacifist who spoke out against the dangers of nuclear weapons.
His famous words, “Imagination is more important than knowledge,” continue to inspire many, emphasizing the importance of creativity and critical thinking.
Einstein’s life teaches us the importance of maintaining curiosity and thinking beyond conventional wisdom.
His achievements and philosophies continue to have a profound impact, not only in the world of science but also in how we view life.
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