1 of 2 Parts: How Albert Einstein (1879-1955) Changed the Way We See the Universe, by Franklin and Betty J. Parker, bfparker@frontiernet.net

1 of 2 Parts: "How Albert Einstein (1879-1955) Changed the Way We See the Universe, by Franklin and Betty J. Parker, bfparker@frontiernet.net, review of Walter Isaacsonís Einstein, His Life and Universe, NY: Simon & Schuster, 2007, and related sources, given 21 Apr. '08, Uplands Retirement Village. Pleasant Hill, TN.

Betty: Frank, Walter Isaacson, author of Einstein, His Life and Universe, Simon & Schuster, 2007 best seller, is a journalist.1 He was Time magazineís editor when his staff chose Einstein as the most important person of the 20th century. 2 He now heads the Aspen Institute, Washington, D.C., a leadership think tank.3

Frank: Einstein’s recently opened archives resulted in 2007, besides Isaacson's biography, German science writer Jergen Neffe's highly regarded Einstein: A Biography. Isaacson's book is to be filmed. There is news of other forthcoming Einstein films. Why this interest? It is because Einstein, a household name as a scientific genius, is still little known. Our task is to tell who Einstein was and how and why he changed the way we see the universe.4

B: Albert's family: his father Hermann Einstein (1847-1902), at age 29, in Bavaria, Germany, married Pauline nÈe Koch (K-o-c-h, 1858-1920), age 18, in 1876, both non-observing Jews. Pauline, a prosperous grain dealerís daughter, was cultured, well read, a pianist and music lover. Hermann, whom she dominated, was generous, thoughtful, a devoted husband and father who finally failed in business.

F: Albert Einstein was born March 14, 1879, in Ulm (U-l-m), near Stuttgart, Germany.
200+ years earlier (1685) Isaac Newton's (1642-1727) laws of motion and gravity had explained how the world and universe work with clockwork precision. Albert Einstein would dramatically alter Newtonís frame of reference.

B: Albert grew up among electric generators and motors. His uncle, engineer-inventor Jakob Einstein (1850-1912), was electrifying southern German towns as Thomas Edison (1847-1931) had done in New York City.5 Pauline Einstein, with a loan from her family, encouraged her husband Hermannís partnership with Jakob. Just after Albertís birth, the Einsteins moved (1880) from Ulm to Munich for better business opportunity.

F: Albertís big head at birth made Pauline fear he was abnormal until reassured by her physician.6 Also a late talker, Albert later told a biographer, Q "My parents were worried because I started to talk comparatively late, and they consulted a doctorÖ."7EQ He was 2 when his only sibling sister was born, Marie, called ìMajaî (M-a-j-a) Einstein (1881-1951), who later described him as quiet and introspective.8

B: When Albert was age 4 and ill, his father gave him a compass to play with. Albert later wrote: Q ìWhen I sawÖ[its needle always point north, no matter how I turned it], the fact that it behaved in such a fixed way changed my understanding of the world. Until then, I thought that one thing had to touch another to make it moveÖ. I realized that something deeply hidden had to lie behind thingsî 9 EQ [an early hint of his lifelong search for unity in nature].

F: Albert's schooling: he was kept at home until age 7, taught the 3 Rs by a tutor, and was enrolled in a nearby Catholic primary school, ages 7 to 9, 1885-88. He did well academically, received Catholic religious instruction in school plus state-required private Jewish instruction from a relative at home.

B: Taken as a little boy to watch a Prussian military parade, he cried out in horror: Q"I don't want to be [regimented like]Öthose poor people" EQ10 He disliked school discipline and rote learning, especially in secondary school at Munich's Luitpold Gymnasium (L-u-i-t-p-o-l-d), 6 years, ages 9 to 15, 1888-94.

F: Good in science and math, less interested in other subjects, he irritated some of his teachers by questioning their knowledge. His home room teacher, asked about Albert's potential, said: Q ìNothing will ever come of him." EQ Told by that home room teacher that he was not welcome in class, Albert said he had done nothing wrong. His teacher said: Q "Yes, Öbut you sit there in the back row and smile and your mere presence here spoils the respect of the class for me."11 EQ. Albert later called his primary teachers sergeants, his gymnasium teachers lieutenants.

B: He learned more from reading textbooks on his own. Enthralled by algebra Uncle Jakob taught him, he mastered calculus by age 12. Math and science books reinforced his appreciation of orderliness in nature. He later said: Q "As a boy of 12, I was thrilled to see that it was possible to find out truth by reasoning alone, without the help of any outside experience."12 EQ

F: He took piano and violin lessons, urged by his mother; was a lifelong violinist; and saw harmony and unity in music, science, and nature.

B: Max Talmey (T-a-l-m-e-y, 1867-1941), 21, a poor Jewish medical student from Poland, invited to Thursday night dinners from 1889 for a few years, shared with Albert, age 10, table talk on science, math, and philosophy.13

F: Talmey gave Albert a popular book series on natural science which described current scientific experiments.13+ They were full of imaginative, creative what-ifs, leading Albert at 16 to ask: what if I could ride alongside a beam of light?

B: Years later (1921) in New York, asked what he thought of these books, Albert said: very good books, Q "[They] exerted a great influence on my whole development."14 EQ

F: Talmey, who influenced Albert at an impressionable age, remarked in his 1932 book about young Albert's Q "exceptional intelligence [which enabled him to discuss with me, a college graduate,] subjects far beyond the comprehension of so young a child." EQ. 15

B: Albert, religious before age 10, was a religious doubter from age 12. He and Max Talmey read philosopher Immanuel Kant's (1724-1804) difficult Critique of Pure Reason. They discussed Kantís belief that the universe can be understood by thought alone. Albert later read and agreed with philosopher Benedict Spinoza (1632-77) that God works through nature's orderliness.

F: When Albert was 15, business failure led the two Einstein families to move to Italy near their northern Italy partner firm in Milan, then in nearby Pavia. Albert needed 3 more years to complete secondary school. His parents decided he should remain in Munich where an Einstein relative would look after him until he graduated.

B: Lonely, unhappy, Albert continued for six months at the Munichís Gymnasium, which he did not like, knowing some teachers disliked him. He also dreaded German compulsory military service at age 17, two years ahead.

F: Albert asked his family physician for a letter stating that because of isolation from his family he was suffering from nervous exhaustion and needed the bracing air of northern Italy. From his math teacher he got a letter listing his high scores in math.

B: Albert, now a school dropout, took a train to Pavia, Italy, 15+ arriving unexpectedly at his parents' home. He told them why he had dropped out of school and how he planned to continue his education.

F: He would study on his own, take the entrance exam in autumn 1895 to enter the highly regarded Polytechnic College in Zurich, Switzerland,16 which did not require secondary school graduation if an applicant passed its difficult entrance examination, which he would take in autumn 1895. He also said: I want to renounce my German citizenship.

B: His parents listened, concerned. His father prudently delayed submitting renunciation of German citizenship forms until Albert in Switzerland had applied for Swiss citizenship. Released from German citizenship Jan. 1896, Albert was stateless until granted Swiss citizenship in 1901.

F: Helping in the familyís Pavia shop with its electric lighting equipment, Albert impressed Uncle Jakob by quickly solving electrical problems. Uncle Jakob assured everyone: Q ìYou will hear from him yet.î EQ

B: In spring and summer 1895 Albert hiked the Alps and Apennines from Pavia to Genoa to see his maternal Uncle Julius Koch. He visited art and other culture centers, delighting in Italians' natural friendliness, so different from German stern discipline.

F: He read physics textbooks to help him prepare for the Zurich Polytechnic entrance exams. He would be 16 when he took the Polytechnic entrance test intended for age 18 and older, but a family friend got him a waiver of the age requirement.17

B: Albert passed the Zurich Polytechnic test in math and science but failed in literature, French, zoology, botany, and politics. Polytechnic Director Albin Herzog (1852-1909) suggested that Albert take a final secondary school year of guided study at nearby Aarau high school (A-a-r-a-u), whose graduates were automatically admitted to the Zurich Polytechnic.18

F: Aarau Cantonal School, 25 miles west of Zurich, influenced by progressive Swiss educator Johann Pestalozzi (1746-1827),18+ was teacher-friendly, student-centered, and fitted Albert's contemplative mind and independent spirit.

B: He later told a friend: Q "In Aarau I made my first rather childish experiments in thinking that had a direct bearing on the Special [Relativity] Theory. If a person could run after a light wave with the same speed as light, you would have a wave arrangement which could be completely independent of timeÖ."19 EQ

F: He boarded with Jost and Rosa Winteler (W-i-n-t-e-l-e-r). Jost Winteler (1846-1929) was history and Greek professor. Marie, one of their 7 children, was Albert's first girl friend; she 18, he 16. 19+

B: With the Wintelers, Albert developed a quick wit and debonair jesting manner. When not in class or studying or hiking or playing violin duets or flirting with Marie Winteler, Albert warmed in the glow of the family's liberal conversation. 20

F: Graduating from the Aarau Cantonal School with the second highest grades except in French, he wrote of his future plans as follows:

B: Q "ÖI will enroll in the Zurich Polytechnic. I will stay there four years [1896-1900] to study mathematics and physicsÖ. I will be a teacher Öof these sciencesÖ. ∂[I have a] talent for abstractÖthinkingÖ. I am attracted byÖthe profession of science." 22 EQ

F: Albert enrolled, Oct. 29, 1896, in Zurich Polytechnic's department preparing secondary school math and physics teachers, headed by Prof. Heinrich Weber (1942-1913). 22+

B: Romance came to Albert at Zurich Polytechnic. He met Mileva Maric (M-i-l-e-v-a M-a-r-i-c 1875-1948), the only woman student in this department, from Novi Sad (N-o-v-i S-a-d), Serbia, daughter of a wealthy landowner and judge. She had a congenital hip dislocation and limped slightly.

F: Mileva, bright in math and physics, determined to succeed, had won top honors in an all-male Serbian science school. She at 21, Albert at 17, casual friends, hiked together in the summer of 1897. Besides their shared interest in science and math, Albert admired Mileva for being, like himself, a rebel, outsider, survivor.23

B: Friendship ripened into love. Mileva Maric became, in Walter Isaacson's words: Q "Einstein's muse, partner, lover, wife [16 years, 1903-19]Öand [finally] antagonist." 24 EQ

F: In his last two years at Zurich Polytechnic Albert skipped Prof. Heinrich Weber's physics lectures, disappointed at Weber's not covering modern scientists, particularly Scottish James Clerk Maxwell (1831-79). Albert read avidly and discussed with his science friends in Zurich cafes Maxwell's books, Electricity and Magnetism, 1873; and Matter and Motion, 1876.25

B: Albert irritated his major professor by addressing him as "Herr Weber" instead of the more respectful "Herr Professor." Prof. Weber gave Albert a dressing down (1898-99): Q "You're a clever boy. But you have one great fault: you'll never let yourself be told anything." 24 EQ

F: Albert's other physics professor, Jean Pernet (1845-1902) asked his assistant: Q "What do you make of Einstein? He always does something different from what I have ordered." EQ The assistant replied, Q "He does indeed, Herr Professor, but his solutions are right and the methods he uses are of great interest." 25 EQ

B: Albert focused more on physics, less on math. He neglected math Prof. Hermann Minkowski's (1864-1909) advanced math courses, which he later regretted.26 EQ

F: Studying what interested him, Albert risked failing final exams. His friends engineering student Micheleangelo Besso,26+ math major Marcel Grossmann (1878-1936), and Mileva Maric tutored him. Marcel Grossmannís lecture notes particularly helped. He understood Albertís independent spirit, recognized Albert's talents, and told his parents, Q "This Einstein will one day be a great man." 26+Grossman EQ

B: Albert barely passed his final exams. Mileva Maric failed but planned to try again.27

F: Financial aid from his family stopped after Albert graduated.27+ His fellow graduates all received coveted teaching or research assistantships. Albert applied far and wide. No one answered.

B: Albert complained that Prof. Heinrich Weber's bad references prevented his getting a job. Mileva attributed his joblessness to his rebel attitude and to anti-Semitism. She explained: Q" You know my sweetheart has a sharp tongue and moreoverÖis a Jew" EQ.28

F: We are shocked now that Einstein, an acknowledged genius, couldnít get an academic position after college graduation. For 18 months his only income was from short term poorly paid substitute teaching.

B: Isaacson described him in this jobless period as: Q "Einstein the Nobody." EQ His father Hermann, knowing Albert had twice unsuccessfully applied for an assistantship to University of Leipzig chemistry Prof. Wilhelm Ostwald, wrote Ostwald, without telling Albert:

F: Q"ÖEsteemed Herr Professor! ∂.Ömy son Albert, Ö22Ö, unhappy with his present lack of position,Öis oppressed by the thought that he is a burden on us, people of modest meansÖ.∂I have taken the liberty of [asking you] toÖwrite himÖ a few words of encouragement, so that he might recover his joy in living and working. ∂IfÖyou could secure him an Assistant's positionÖmy gratitude would know no boundsÖ. Hermann Einstein." 29 EQ Ostwald never responded.

B: Albert's mother opposed to Albert's romance with Mileva Maric, thought Mileva an unsuitable, older, unhealthy, non-Jewish, foreigner.29+opposed During summer 1900 family vacation his mother asked Albert, Q "What will become of your Dollie now?" EQ

F: Albert curtly replied: engagement and marriage. His mother wept. Still worse, she and Albert's father sent a jointly signed letter to Mileva Maric's parents listing reasons against the marriage.

B: Help in finding a job finally came when Albertís friend Marcel Grossmann told his father of Albert's joblessness. The elder Grossmann spoke to his friend, Swiss Patent Office Director Friedrich Haller (1844-1936). Haller told Albert that he would be considered if he applied when a Patent Office job opened. Pinning his hopes on this possibility, Albert moved to Bern, the Swiss capital, where the Patent Office was located.

F: On a romantic interlude at Lake Como on the Swiss-Italian border, spring 1901, Albert and Mileva conceived a love child. Mileva wrote Albert she was with child. Albert answered, pledging to find a job Q "no matter how humbleÖ[and despite] my scientific goals and my personal vanity." 30 EQ

B: Albert was with his family the summer of 1901 when Mileva retook her failed Zurich Polytechnic final exams. Three months pregnant, sick, her pregnancy a secret, with Albert's parents opposed to their marriage, Mileva failed again. Albert was not with her when, home in Serbia with her family, she gave birth to a baby girl Lieserl (L-i-e-s-e-r-l), ?Feb. 1902. 31

F: Albert never saw, his parents never knew, nor did the world know about Lieserl until 1986 in newly found Einstein family letters. Why the secrecy? Speculating from Albert's then troubled situation--he was the jobless, unconventional, near-bohemian father of an illegitimate child, unable to support a family, whose parents opposed his love mate. If he became publicly tarred as immoral he might not get the Swiss Patent Office job.

B: Mileva, in Serbia, her family helping, cared for the baby, exchanged anxious love letters with Albert, patiently awaited his hoped for job, his promised marriage. Historians speculate that Mileva's close friend in Serbia took custody of Lieserl and that Lieserl died of scarlet fever.32

F: Needing money, awaiting the Patent Office job, Albert's ad in a Bern newspaper read: Q "Private lessons in Mathematics and PhysicsÖ.. Trial lessons free,"33 EQ attracted several local students.

B: Albert's lectures to the jokingly called ìOlympia Academyî students soon gave way to freewheeling discussions on physics, philosophy, classic books, over food and drink, on country walks, and on mountain hikes.34

F: Finally, June 16, 1902. Albert was appointed Swiss Patent Office Technical Expert Class 3 Provisional. Director Friedrich Haller instructed him: Q "When you pick up an application think that everything the inventor says is wrong." EQ Be critical, vigilant, question every premise, challenge everything--an approach independent, skeptical Albert liked.35

B: Soon expert in judging patent applications, Albert rushed through the day's work to do his own gedanken (thought) experiments, hiding his notes when visitors or Director Haller approached. The Patent Office job, Albert later wrote: Q ìÖenforced my many-sided thinking and also provided important stimuli toÖthought[s on physics].î 36 EQ

F: Hermann Einstein, 55, on his deathbed in Milan, Italy, on Oct. 10, 1902, gave Albert permission to marry Mileva Maric. Albert wept. He and Mileva were married Jan. 6, 1903, in a civil ceremony attended only by two ìOlympia Academyî friends.

B: With a steady job, income, marriage, regularity, Albert and Mileva had a son, Hans Albert Einstein (born May 14, 1904-73*ref). Albert also had for intellectual companionship his close friend Michelangelo Besso, who joined Albert as co-worker in the Patent Office, 1904 They endlessly discussed how mass (i.e. matter), light, space, time were related. Between 1901-04 Albert wrote and published reviews of new physics writings and several so called "practice papers."

F: Then, during March-April-May, 1905, Albert wrote and had published, four papers in the German physics journal, Annalen der Physik, plus his doctoral dissertation. In time, as the clarity and insight of these papers were recognized, he became known among physicists. Of this 1905 "Miracle Year" he later wrote: Q ìA storm broke out in my mind.î EQ (*ref Title, etc.)

B: First of Albert's four 1905 papers was on the photo-electric effect of light, long thought to be a wave. Light, Albert wrote, also acts like fast-moving particles. When electrons in light particles hit some metals they warm the metals, releasing electrons from the metals. This photo-electric effect of light is the basis of light-operated automatic garage and other door openers, laser beams used in surgery, compact disks, television screens, PET scans imaging for cancer, etc.

F: Albertís photo-electric effect paper also helped establish Quantum Physics, the study of the erratic behavior of electrons circling protons inside atoms. Because this photo-electric effect paper was verifiable and practical it won Albert the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics.37

B: Albert's second 1905 paper explained "Brownian Movement," named after Scottish biologist Robert Brown (1773-1858). In 1827 Brown found under a microscope that tiny grains of pollen placed in water suddenly move about irregularly. Albert proved mathematically, 78 years later, that water molecules randomly hitting the pollen grains caused the jittery motion. His paper convinced doubting scientists that molecules and atoms exist, are active, and can be quantified.39 and 40

F: His third 1905 paper, Special Theory of Relativity, was more important, less understood. We think we sit still in a room. But we and everything else in the universe move as our earth turns on its axis, revolves around our sun, our sun revolves with other suns in our Milky Way galaxy, our Milky Way galaxy moves among a spiral of other galaxies, and so on.

B: Isaac Newton's laws since 1685 held that apples fall, heavenly bodies orbit, space and time are separate and fixed because of gravity. Albert's different thought came from James Clerk Maxwell's finding in 1873 that light, moving at 186,000 miles per second, is actually the visual form of an electromagnetic wave.

END Part 1 of 2 Parts. Continued 2 of 2 Parts. Contact: Bfparker@frontiernet.net