$63,000
Albert Einstein
Net Worth
Born in (City)
Ulm
Born in (Country)
Germany
Date of Birth
14th December, 1879
Date of Death
07th December, 1955
Mother
Pauline Koch
Father
Hermann Einstein
Children
- Eduard Einstein
- Hans Albert Einstein
- Lieserl Einstein
About
Albert Einstein was a German-born theoretical physicist widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest physicists of all time. Einstein is known for developing the theory of relativity, but he also made important contributions to the development of the theory of quantum mechanics. Relativity and quantum mechanics are together the two pillars of modern physics. His mass–energy equivalence formula E=mc^2, which arises from relativity theory, has been dubbed "the world's most famous equation". His work is also known for its influence on the philosophy of science. He received the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics "for his services to theoretical physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect", a pivotal step in the development of quantum theory. His intellectual achievements and originality resulted in "Einstein" becoming synonymous with "genius".
Early Life
He was born in Ulm, in the Kingdom of Württemberg in the German Empire, on 14 March 1879 into a family of secular Ashkenazi Jews. His parents were Hermann Einstein, a salesman and engineer, and Pauline Koch. In 1885 when he was 6 years old, his family moved to Munich, Switzerland where he enrolled in an elementary school. Albert attended a Catholic elementary school in Munich, from the age of six, for three years. At the age of nine, he was transferred to the Luitpold Gymnasium (now known as the Albert Einstein Gymnasium), where he received advanced primary and secondary school education until he left the German Empire seven years later. He was not at all a bright student on the contrary he excelled in Mathematics and Physics. At age of 12, he taught himself algebra and Euclidean geometry. By the age of 14, he mastered calculus, both integral and differential. In 1896 Einstein entered Swiss Polytechnic School in Zurich to obtain his diploma in Physics and Mathematics. It was an easy road for him. Although he excelled in Physics and Mathematics, he lagged in other subjects. To comply with those, he lodged in one of his professor’s house where he fell in love with his daughter Marie. Sadly, it was the summer romance kind of thing. After completing the formalities asked from him he joined the school where he met his future wife, a 20-year-old Serbian woman Mileva Marić. Initially, they got on the wrong foot but later after spending time and working on Physics problems they started to fancy each other. They got married in 1903. Rumors are Mileva assisted Albert in the formulation of Relativity but the extent of her involvement was unknown.
Road to Success
The year 1905 is called the “miracle year” of Albert Einstein. The reason for this was that he wrote four papers printed in a scientific journal “Annalen der Physik” that contributed significantly to the groundwork of modern physics and completely changed the view on space, time, mass, and energy. Those papers were on the photoelectric effect, Brownian motion, special theory of relativity, and mass-energy equivalence. Having given a lecture on electrodynamics and the relativity principle at the University of Zurich in February 1909, Alfred Kleiner recommended Einstein to the faculty for a recently created professorship in theoretical physics. Therefore, Einstein became an associate professor in 1909. The new title altered Einstein´s image completely. He changed his neat patent office appearance for baggy short trousers and indifferent hairstyle. His lectures bore quite a similar style. They were quite informal: students could interrupt the professor anytime and often spent time together at different cafes and even joined him at his home. Albert Einstein moved to Prague to work as a full professor at German Charles-Ferdinand University and obtained Austrian citizenship to do so in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is interesting to know that, at first, his application for the position was not approved by the Ministry of Education in Vienna and Franz Joseph I, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary. The job was given to Gustav Jaumann (1863–1924), who turned down the offer when found that Albert Einstein was the first choice for it. The position allowed Einstein to travel a lot through Europe. Also, while working at German Charles-Ferdinand University, Albert Einstein wrote 11 scientific papers, 5 of which were on the quantum theory of solids and radiation mathematics.
Challenges
After graduating, Einstein faced major challenges in terms of finding academic positions, having alienated some professors over not attending class more regularly instead of studying independently. Einstein graduated from the renowned Swiss Polytechnic Institute at the age of 21, and he was struggling to find employment. To make matters worse, Einstein had a terrible reputation as a student. He skipped class, and his professors never took him seriously. Moreover, Einstein never performed spectacularly in school. He did so poorly that he nearly decided to drop out, and just sell life insurance.
Einstein eventually found steady work in 1902 after receiving a referral for a clerk position in a Swiss patent office. While working at the patent office, Einstein had the time to further explore ideas that had taken hold during his studies at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and thus cemented his theorems on what would be known as the principle of relativity. In 1905—seen by many as a "miracle year" for the theorist—Einstein had four papers published in the Annalen der Physik, one of the best-known physics journals of the era. Two focused on the photoelectric effect and Brownian motion. The two others, which outlined E=MC2 and the special theory of relativity, were defining for Einstein’s career and the course of the study of physics.
Failures
Like every other human being, Einstein was not perfect either. He made a blunder in his 1915 theory. His equations foretold the acceleration of the universe. But this did not make any sense to him. To restraint his equation, he applied what is known as ’cosmological constant. In 1927, Edwin Hubble from his famous Hubble telescope found out that indeed Einstein was correct, the universe is expanding. His views towards Quantum Theory were also somehow biased. He quoted, “God doesn’t play dice”. This is however we all know is not the case. The Quantum realm is uncertain, that’s what makes it so flummox.
Achievements
Nominated for 9 Academy Awards and Won the Best Actor for Scent of a Woman|Goldene Kamera: Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013|Jameson Dublin International Film Festival: Volta Award in 2012|Lifetime Achievement Award in American Film Institute in 2007|Lifetime Achievement Award in Gotham Award in 1996|National Medal of Arts in 2011
Quotes
- Once we accept our limits, we go beyond them.
- Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.
- If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't understand it yourself.
- I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination.
- Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.