Relativity
Year of Discovery: 1905
What Is It? Einstein’s theory that space and time merge to form the fabric of
the universe that is warped and molded by gravity.
Who Discovered It? Albert Einstein
Why Is This One of the 100 Greatest?
Albert Einstein is one of only three or four scientists in history who have changed the
fundamental ways in which humans view the universe. Einstein’s theory of relativity
changed humankind’s core assumptions concerning the nature of the universe and of
Earth’s and of humans’ place in it.
The twentieth century’s developments in technology, science, and math owe their
foundation to this unassuming scientist in a deep and fundamental way. He has touched our
lives probably more than any other scientist in history. But for the first 26 years of his life,
no one thought he had any chance of entering the world of science at all.
How Was It Discovered?
Raised in Munich, Germany, Albert Einstein showed no early signs of genius. He was
described as a dull child who didn’t play well with other children. Grammar school teachers
called him irksome and disruptive. At 16 he was expelled from school. Albert’s father encouraged him to apply to the Polytechnic Institute in Zurich, Switzerland, and learn a trade
to help support the family.
But Albert failed the entrance exam. A school administrator was, however, impressed
with Albert’s math abilities and arranged for him to complete high school in nearby Aarua,
Switzerland. At 17, Albert transferred to Zurich.
There he showed promise in math and science, but piled up far too many discipline reports. He was free with his opinions whether they were offensive or not. His teachers gave
him bad reports. One called him “a lazy dog.”
Einstein hoped to teach after graduation but his grades weren’t good enough. He
dropped out of science in disgust and supported himself with odd jobs. In 1902 he landed a
job as a clerk in the Swiss Patent Office, assigned to check the technical correctness of patent applications. It appeared that all doors leading to a science career had been firmly
closed.
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