Timeline Diagram

TIMELINE ON ALBERT EINSTEIN'S LIFE

His early beginnings

Nobel price

general theory of relativity

Spring 1905

1919

1921

1914

1905

Special theory of relativity

End of his married life

nuclear research

Death

1939

1955

IMPACT

Impact on his research in the world

In the spring of 1905, while riding a bus, Albert Einstein imagined what it would look like if he traveled at the speed of light past a clock in a city square. To his mind, the clock would appear frozen, which led him to a profound insight: time and space are interconnected, forming a flexible "fabric" called space-time. This thought experiment sparked his theory of special relativity, fundamentally changing our understanding of time. After publishing his ideas, Einstein faced months of silence from the scientific community until Max Planck, a prominent physicist, recognized the importance of his work, marking the beginning of its acceptance.

In 1905, while working at a patent office, the then-unknown physicist Albert Einstein published four transformative papers that reshaped physics. Known as his "Annus Mirabilis," this work redefined key concepts about light, matter, and energy. In one paper, he proposed the photoelectric effect, showing that light consists of particles (photons) with quantifiable energy, challenging the traditional wave theory of light and laying the groundwork for quantum mechanics. Another paper introduced the iconic equation E = mc², revealing mass as a form of concentrated energy and establishing a basis for nuclear physics.

As Albert Einstein's fame grew, tensions arose between him and his wife, Mileva Marić. Once a promising physicist, Mileva felt increasingly resentful as Einstein gained recognition among leading scientists, creating strain within their marriage. Frequent relocations due to Einstein’s career added to the stress. At one point, they left Germany for Switzerland with their children, but Einstein eventually returned to Germany, where he grew close to his cousin Elsa. This connection evolved into an emotional bond that further strained his marriage. As Einstein prepared to move to the U.S., he distanced himself from Mileva. Their marriage continued to deteriorate until Einstein proposed a formal separation, drafting a "contract" with strict terms for Mileva to remain with him. They divorced in 1919, and, as part of their settlement, Einstein promised to give Mileva and their children any Nobel Prize winnings, which he honored after winning in 1921.

Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, developed over four rigorous years, introduced a groundbreaking view of gravity and space-time. Initially, few understood his theory, and he lacked evidence to support it. To prove his ideas, Einstein proposed observing starlight bending near the Sun during a solar eclipse, hypothesizing that the Sun's gravity would curve the light from distant stars. His first attempt to test this in Russia on August 21, 1914, failed due to World War I and poor weather. After recalculating and correcting an error, he realized his equations could predict Mercury's orbit—something Newton’s laws couldn't. The next chance came on May 29, 1919, when astronomer Arthur Eddington observed an eclipse in Africa. Eddington's findings aligned with Einstein’s predictions, providing the first empirical proof of general relativity, catapulting Einstein to global fame and transforming our understanding of the cosmos.

In 1921, Albert Einstein was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics—not for his renowned theory of relativity, but for his groundbreaking explanation of the photoelectric effect, which demonstrated that light behaves as particles, or photons, under certain conditions. This discovery provided crucial evidence for quantum mechanics and laid the foundation for technologies such as solar panels and early electronics. The Nobel Prize solidified Einstein's status as a global scientific icon.

Today, Einstein's contributions remain foundational to modern science and technology. His general theory of relativity underlies our understanding of gravity, black holes, and other cosmic phenomena, while his famous equation, E=mc², is essential to nuclear physics and energy science. Even GPS technology depends on relativity for accuracy. Einstein’s legacy endures, inspiring research in fields like quantum mechanics and astrophysics and embodying the spirit of human curiosity and the quest for knowledge.

In 1939, Albert Einstein co-signed a letter with physicist Leo Szilard, addressed to President Franklin D.Roosvelt, urging the U.S to accelerate research on nuclear fission. The letter warned that Nazi Germany might develop powerful atomic weapons that emphasized the need for the U.S. to investigate nuclear chain reactions. This letter spurred the creation of the Manhattan Project, which eventually led to the development of atomic bombs. Though he did not work directly on the project, Einstein later expressed regret, advocating for nuclear disarmament and emphasizing the dangers of nuclear technologies.