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Albert Einstein is famed for his Theory of Relativity and Quantum Mechanics. He won the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics and is called the Father of Modern Physics.
Albert Einstein’s wax statue in Bukovel, Ukraine. (Image: Shutterstock)
Albert Einstein Birth Anniversary: One of the greatest physicists of all time, Albert Einstein was born on March 14, 1879, in Germany. He was best known for developing the Theory of Relativity, but his contributions to the Theory of Quantum Mechanics were also widely accepted and praised.
Einstein won a Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for his remarkable contributions to the field. He is widely recognised as the Father of Modern Physics. He revolutionised our understanding of space, time, and the nature of light with his ground-breaking theories in physics.
Einstein’s first paper, Conclusions from the Capillarity Phenomena, was published in 1900. By the end of 1905, he had produced four more papers, cementing his name in the annals of history.
On the 146th birth anniversary of Einstein, here’s a look at some fascinating facts about the Nobel laureate, along with his most famous quotes.
10 Facts About The Father Of Modern Physics
- A Man Of Many Homes: Though born in Germany, Einstein didn’t stay there for long. He lived in Italy, Switzerland, and Czechia before eventually moving to the United States, where he remained for the rest of his life. He never returned to Germany after leaving the country once.
- A Childhood Spark Of Genius: As a child, Einstein’s curiosity was ignited when his father gifted him a compass. The way the needle moved, seemingly controlled by an unseen force, fascinated him and set him on a lifelong path of scientific discovery.
- The First Paper At 16: Einstein wasn’t just an early thinker, he was also an early researcher. At just 16, he penned his first scientific paper, inspired by his fascination with the gifted compass.
- A School Dropout: Contrary to the popular myth that Einstein was a poor student, he actually performed exceptionally well in Mathematics, Physics, and Philosophy. However, he struggled with language and other subjects, leading him to leave school at 15.
- From Tutor To Theorist: Before revolutionising physics, Einstein worked as a private tutor for Mathematics and Physics. However, job opportunities were scarce and he eventually decided to pursue a PhD.
- Born Differently: According to his biography, Einstein: A Life, by Denis Brian, the Nobel laureate was born with a strangely large and misshapen head, which terrified his grandmother.
- A Late Talker: Despite his genius, Einstein had difficulty speaking as a child and reportedly didn’t utter a word until he was over two years old.
- His Iconic Look: Young Einstein was meticulous about his appearance, his hair was always neatly combed and oiled. However, after becoming a father and struggling financially as a clerk, he abandoned frequent haircuts and embraced his now-iconic ‘wild scientist’ look.
- Two Marriages: Einstein met his first wife Mileva Marić while studying at Zurich Polytechnique. The two married in 1903. The duo got divorced in 1919 and he went on to marry his cousin Elsa Lowenthal in 1919.
- Deep Admiration For Gandhi: Einstein was greatly influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s ideologies. The two often exchanged letters and Einstein once called Gandhi, “A role model for the generations to come.”
Famous Quotes By Albert Einstein
The Nobel laureate, who passed away in 1955, left behind numerous famous quotes. Here are a few that continue to inspire generations:
- “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”
- “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.”
- “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”
- “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”
- “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.”
- “Science without religion is lame, religion without science is blind.”
- “Any fool can know. The point is to understand.”
- “Try not to become a man of success. Rather become a man of value.”
- “The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.”