100 Astonishing Facts About Einstein

1. Einstein's Brain Controversy: Following Einstein’s passing in 1955, Dr. Thomas Stoltz Harvey, who performed the autopsy, took it upon himself to preserve Einstein's brain without obtaining appropriate consent. This act stunned the scientific community and sparked debates regarding whether unique traits in his brain contributed to his extraordinary intellect.
2. Solar Eclipse Validation of Time Dilation: In 1919, during a total solar eclipse, Einstein's general relativity theory was validated. Sir Arthur Eddington measured the bending of starlight around the Sun, confirming Einstein's predictions about gravity's influence on light.
3. Civil Rights Advocate: Beyond his scientific genius, Einstein was also a staunch supporter of civil rights, actively opposing racial discrimination and participating in various civil rights organizations.
4. Pacifist Ideals: Despite initially supporting the Manhattan Project, Einstein later became a fervent pacifist, advocating for global disarmament and a unified world government to avert future wars.
5. Equivalence Principle Explained: A cornerstone of general relativity, the equivalence principle posits that gravitational forces mimic the effects of acceleration. Einstein’s thought experiment involving a falling elevator illustrates this elegantly.
6. EPR Paradox: In 1935, Einstein, along with Boris Podolsky and Nathan Rosen, introduced the EPR paradox, challenging quantum mechanics' completeness and hinting at the concept of "spooky action at a distance," which later led to explorations in quantum entanglement.
7. Fountain Pen Patent: In 1901, Einstein submitted a patent for a self-filling fountain pen. Although he never manufactured it, his design provided an innovative solution for continuous ink flow.
8. GPS and Time Dilation: Einstein's special relativity is crucial for the Global Positioning System (GPS). Due to their speed, GPS satellites experience time dilation and must adjust their time to maintain accuracy.
9. Brownian Motion Breakthrough: In 1905, Einstein’s paper on Brownian motion offered a resolution to a longstanding debate by explaining the erratic movement of tiny particles in a fluid, thereby confirming the existence of atoms and molecules.
10. Unsuccessful Unified Field Theory: Despite his groundbreaking discoveries, Einstein spent much of his later years attempting to develop a unified field theory to merge general relativity with electromagnetism, a goal he ultimately did not achieve.
11. Einstein's "Happiest Thought": At age 16, Einstein conceptualized chasing a beam of light, which led him to the realization that the speed of light remains constant, regardless of the observer's motion.
12. Skepticism Towards Quantum Theory: Despite contributing to its foundations, Einstein was skeptical about the inherent randomness in quantum theory, famously stating, "God does not play dice with the universe."
13. Cosmological Constant's Introduction: Einstein initially added the cosmological constant to his equations to maintain a static universe. He later referred to it as his "biggest blunder" upon discovering the universe's expansion.
14. Invention of a Unique Refrigerator: Collaborating with Leó Szilárd, Einstein developed a refrigerator that operated without moving parts, based on absorption refrigeration principles.
15. Amateur Violinist: Einstein was not just a physicist; he was also a skilled violinist who often played music to relax and find inspiration, even performing alongside renowned musicians.
16. The Photoelectric Effect: Einstein's 1905 explanation of the photoelectric effect earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics, demonstrating that light behaves as discrete particles called photons, laying the groundwork for quantum theory.
17. Iconic Equation E=mc²: Einstein's famous equation illustrates the equivalence of mass and energy, revealing that mass can be converted into energy, which has profound implications for nuclear power and weapons.
18. Detection of Gravitational Waves: In 2015, scientists confirmed gravitational waves, validating Einstein's century-old predictions about these ripples in spacetime caused by black hole mergers.
19. Bose-Einstein Condensate Prediction: In 1924, Einstein predicted the existence of a unique state of matter called the Bose-Einstein condensate, which was experimentally realized in 1995.
20. Annus Mirabilis Papers: In 1905, Einstein published four groundbreaking papers that transformed physics, marking what is known as his "miracle year."
21. Influential Letter to Roosevelt: In 1939, Einstein's letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt alerted him to the potential military use of nuclear reactions, which ultimately contributed to the Manhattan Project.
22. Passion for Sailing: Einstein enjoyed sailing and often spent his summers on Swiss lakes, finding peace and clarity in the tranquil waters.
23. Gravitational Lensing Theory: Einstein's general relativity predicts gravitational lensing, where massive objects bend light. This phenomenon has been confirmed through precise astronomical observations.
24. Thought Experiment on Simultaneity: The EPR paradox presented by Einstein and his colleagues suggested the existence of "hidden variables," but subsequent experiments validated the probabilistic nature of quantum mechanics.
25. Thought Experiments as Tools: Einstein frequently employed thought experiments to conceive of complex scientific concepts without the need for extensive physical experimentation.
26. Theoretical Wormholes: Alongside Nathan Rosen, Einstein proposed the concept of "bridges" through spacetime, which later inspired the idea of wormholes in science fiction.
27. Delayed Nobel Prize: While Einstein is often celebrated for relativity, he received the Nobel Prize for his work on the photoelectric effect, as the Nobel Committee had not yet grasped relativity's significance.
28. Passion for Physics Puzzles: Einstein enjoyed creating and solving physics puzzles, believing that playful thinking was vital for scientific advancement.
29. Twin Paradox Explained: The theory of special relativity introduces the clock paradox, where a traveling twin ages slower than the one remaining on Earth.
30. Political Activism: Einstein was a vocal opponent of totalitarian regimes, including Nazi Germany and McCarthyism in the U.S., advocating for political freedoms and human rights.
31. Light Deflection Prediction: Einstein predicted that light would bend when passing near massive objects, a phenomenon confirmed through numerous experiments.
32. Relativity of Simultaneity: Einstein's special relativity posits that simultaneity is not absolute; two events perceived as simultaneous by one observer may occur in different sequences for another.
33. Supportive Second Wife: Einstein’s second wife, Elsa, played a crucial role in managing his public life and protecting him from media scrutiny.
34. Quantum Theory of Light: Einstein's explanation of the photoelectric effect suggested that light consists of quanta, revolutionizing our understanding of light's nature.
35. Fascination with Mathematics: Einstein once stated, "The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once," reflecting his deep appreciation for mathematics.
36. Mentorship from Marcel Grossmann: Einstein's high school friend, Marcel Grossmann, significantly influenced his understanding of differential geometry, essential for general relativity.
37. Spiritual Views: Einstein revered the laws of nature, seeing beauty and order in the universe's mathematical descriptions, though he did not believe in a personal God.
38. Space Exploration Advocate: Einstein recognized the scientific value of space exploration and envisioned the potential for humanity to venture beyond Earth.
39. Wormhole Theory: Einstein's general relativity allows for the theoretical existence of wormholes, which connect distant points in spacetime.
40. Unified Field Theory Challenges: Despite numerous attempts, Einstein never successfully developed a unified field theory, leaving it as an ongoing challenge for future physicists.
41. Experimental Validation of Brownian Motion: Jean Baptiste Perrin's experiments in 1908 confirmed Einstein's predictions about Brownian motion, verifying atomic theory.
42. Intellectual Humility: Einstein remained humble about his achievements, crediting his progress to the work of his predecessors.
43. Einstein Field Equations: His field equations succinctly describe how matter and energy influence spacetime curvature, laying the foundation for general relativity.
44. Mirror Thought Experiment: Conducted at 16, this thought experiment revealed that the laws of physics apply universally, regardless of an observer's motion.
45. Debunking Luminiferous Aether: Einstein's special relativity disproved the necessity of a medium for light waves, showing that light can travel through a vacuum.
46. Prediction of Dark Matter: Although unaware at the time, Einstein’s theories hinted at dark matter, leading to significant discoveries in modern astrophysics.
47. Impact of Gravitational Waves: The detection of gravitational waves has transformed our understanding of the universe and opened new avenues for research.
48. Support for Female Scientists: Einstein championed the work of female scientists, advocating for their recognition in a male-dominated field.
49. Refrigerator Design's Modern Application: While the Einstein-Szilárd refrigerator was not commercially successful, its principles are now used in various refrigeration technologies.
50. Gravitational Redshift Confirmation: Einstein's theory of gravitational redshift has been experimentally validated, demonstrating how light shifts when escaping a gravitational field.

The second video further explores intriguing aspects of Einstein’s life and achievements, presenting seven captivating facts about the genius scientist.

51. The Einstein-Szilárd Letter: This letter warned President Roosevelt of Nazi Germany's potential atomic weapons development, leading to the Manhattan Project.
52. Friendship with Michele Besso: Einstein shared a close intellectual bond with Besso, often exchanging ideas that fueled their scientific endeavors.
53. Theory Evolution Acknowledgment: Einstein believed in the need for scientific theories to evolve with new evidence, advocating for flexibility in scientific understanding.
54. Practical Applications of Theories: Einstein's theories have practical implications, including spacecraft navigation and GPS technology.
55. EPR Paradox's Influence: The EPR paradox continues to inform modern physics, inspiring research into quantum entanglement and teleportation.
56. Swiss Citizenship: After renouncing German citizenship, Einstein became a Swiss citizen in 1901, where he spent formative years and worked at the Patent Office.
57. Nuclear Disarmament Advocacy: Later in life, Einstein became an advocate for nuclear disarmament, supporting peace initiatives and campaigns against nuclear weapons.
58. Pioneer Anomaly Explained: The Pioneer anomaly's unexpected acceleration was clarified by Einstein's theories regarding thermal radiation.
59. Specific Heat Theory: Einstein's statistical method for explaining heat capacity in solids contributed to the development of quantum statistical mechanics.
60. Black Hole Predictions: Einstein's general relativity anticipated black holes, regions of spacetime with gravitational forces so intense that not even light can escape.
61. Philosophy of Science Influence: Einstein's work challenged traditional philosophical ideas about time and space, prompting new philosophical inquiries.
62. Connection to Nature: Einstein found inspiration in nature, often reflecting on the beauty and harmony of the natural world.
63. Contributions to Quantum Theory: His work on light behavior significantly advanced quantum theory, shaping modern physics.
64. Opposition to Authoritarianism: Einstein spoke out against fascism and totalitarian regimes, advocating for democratic values and human rights.
65. Cosmological Impact: His theories reshaped our understanding of cosmology, particularly regarding the universe's structure and expansion.
66. Bohm's Experiment: David Bohm's experiment built on the EPR paradox, confirming the non-local nature of quantum entanglement.
67. Collaboration with Satyendra Nath Bose: Einstein's correspondence with Bose advanced quantum mechanics, leading to Bose-Einstein statistics.
68. Views on Free Will: He viewed free will as an illusion, believing in a deterministic universe governed by natural laws.
69. Public Lectures on Relativity: Einstein's engaging lectures made complex topics accessible to a wider audience.
70. Quantum Electrodynamics Contributions: His work on radiation behavior played a pivotal role in developing quantum electrodynamics.
71. Interest in Mach's Principle: Einstein was fascinated by the concept that inertia arises from the gravitational influence of all masses.
72. Spacetime as Fabric: His theory portrays spacetime as a malleable fabric shaped by mass and energy, revolutionizing our understanding of gravity.
73. Contention with Philipp Lenard: Einstein faced opposition from Lenard, who supported Nazi ideology and rejected his theories.
74. Miracle Year Achievements: In 1905, Einstein's papers on various groundbreaking topics marked a transformative period in physics.
75. Cultural Influence: Einstein's revolutionary ideas have inspired countless artists and writers, symbolizing scientific genius.
76. Einstein Tower: This solar observatory in Potsdam was designed to validate Einstein's theories through experimental observation.
77. Role in Quantum Theory Acceptance: Despite skepticism, Einstein's contributions were pivotal in gaining acceptance for quantum mechanics.
78. Post-War Nuclear Regret: Einstein expressed regret over his role in promoting nuclear research following the devastation of WWII.
79. EPR Paradox's Modern Relevance: The paradox continues to inspire investigations into quantum entanglement and related technologies.
80. Prussian Academy Appointment: In 1914, Einstein became the director of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Physics, solidifying his status in the scientific community.
81. Collaboration with Paul Dirac: Despite differing views, Einstein respected Dirac's work on electron behavior.
82. Hebrew University Contribution: Einstein played an essential role in establishing the Hebrew University, contributing scientific manuscripts and resources.
83. Patent Innovations: Einstein's inventive spirit extended beyond theory, filing numerous patents for various devices.
84. Correspondence with Freud: His discussions with Freud on psychology and pacifism form an intriguing dialogue between two intellectual giants.
85. Bose-Einstein Statistics Development: His collaboration with Bose laid the groundwork for understanding particle behavior in quantum mechanics.
86. Global Governance Advocacy: Post-WWII, Einstein called for a world government to ensure peace and cooperation.
87. Einstein-Cartan Theory: Together with Élie Cartan, Einstein proposed modifications to general relativity, incorporating spin and torsion.
88. Scientific Intuition Importance: Einstein valued intuition and imagination as vital components of scientific discovery.
89. Connections at the Patent Office: Collaborating with colleagues like Conrad Habicht enriched Einstein’s intellectual development.
90. Gravitational Wave Predictions: His theories predicted that gravitational waves would affect light frequency, a phenomenon confirmed by experiments.
91. Escape from Nazi Germany: Fleeing persecution, Einstein settled in the U.S. and joined the Institute for Advanced Study.
92. Critique of Wave-Particle Duality: He sought deterministic explanations for phenomena traditionally viewed through the lens of duality.
93. Einstein Cross Discovery: This gravitational lensing phenomenon illustrated predictions from general relativity, confirming its tenets.
94. Scientists' Societal Role: Einstein urged scientists to engage in societal issues and contribute to the public good.
95. Correspondence with Gandhi: His discussions with Gandhi highlighted intersections between science, philosophy, and peace.
96. Critical Opalescence Theory: Einstein explored phase transitions, explaining light scattering near critical points.
97. Einstein-Hilbert Action: His field equations stem from the Einstein-Hilbert action, encapsulating gravitational interactions.
98. Education Reform Advocacy: Einstein championed educational reforms that nurture curiosity and independent thinking.
99. Miracle Year Coincidence: The simultaneous publication of several groundbreaking papers in 1905 remains a fascinating coincidence.
100. Legacy of Innovation: Einstein's revolutionary work continues to shape modern physics and inspire future generations of scientists.

What Should You Do Now?

1. Embrace lifelong learning: Dedicate time to expanding your knowledge through reading and exploration.
2. Foster your creativity: Engage in creative pursuits that allow for self-expression and imagination.
3. Cultivate mindfulness: Practice being present and aware in your daily experiences.
4. Embrace resilience: View challenges as opportunities for growth and learning.
5. Foster connections: Strengthen relationships and nurture empathy and understanding.
6. Trust your intuition: Listen to your inner voice when making decisions.
7. Practice gratitude: Develop a daily practice of acknowledging and appreciating life's blessings.
8. Embrace uncertainty: Adapt to changes and view them as opportunities for growth.
9. Engage in self-reflection: Take time to assess your values and goals, ensuring alignment with your authentic self.
10. Make a positive impact: Seek ways to contribute positively to your community and the world.

Fahri Karakas is the author of Self-making Studio, If Life Gives You A Squash, Squash It!, and 99 Creative Journeys: Unleash Your Imagination. He is passionate about doodling, creativity, asset creation, and the future.