Author: Dr. Muhtar Ahat

By the end of 1905, at the age of 26, Albert Einstein published three important papers. These are the motion of Brownian particles, photoelectric effect and the special theory of relativity. These papers opened a new era in physics and became foundations of modern physics. In that year, he was also well on his way to formulating the general theory of relativity. The general theory of relativity was published in 1916. It predicted the deflection of light in a gravitational field, which was confirmed in England in 1919.

These precocious activities were not preceded by exhibitions of genius. On the contrary, Einstein had dropped out of secondary school in his native Germany and, later returned to school only because he could not pass the university entrance examinations without further preparation. Later, he moved to Switzerland and entered the University of Zurich. On his own word, he was chosen physics because he was not smart enough to do engineering or others. He graduated from the university in 1900 and settled for a position in Swiss Patent Office in Bern, since his mediocre performance at Zurich precluded his obtaining an academic position.

The Patent Office was quiet and afforded him the time to do research in theoretical physics. Einstein was working on unsolved problems and was having immense success in developing new ideas and concepts. It was said that his three papers in 1905, was worse a noble Prize for each of them. However he was awarded only one time a Noble Prize for his work on photoelectric effect. The special theory of relativity not only explained a number of fundamental problems in physics but also changed the way in which we regard space and time. In this same year, Einstein finished his doctoral dissertation. In 1907, he joined the faculty at the University of Zurich. By 1913, his work had brought great professional praise, and an important position at the University of Berlin, and increasing fame among regular people. Popular descriptions of the theory of relativity captured the imagination of his time.

While he was gaining the fame in Germany, the situation did change. As the Nazis gained power, his Jewish heritage led to vitriolic personal attacks on him. Consequently, he emigrated to the United States in 1933 and never returned to his homeland. When he left Germany, one famous German physicist said very sadly that we will loss the advantages in science, the center of science will move to the United States from Europe with Albert Einstein. Einstein also helped to initiate the quantum mechanics, and played an important role as a consultant and sympathetic protagonist in the development of quantum mechanics.

In his later years, Einstein's research concentrated on attempts at a unified theory of gravitation and electromagnetism. While he did fail on his attempts, however his early contributions continued to play an important role in theory of modern physics.

Einstein's reputation was greater and more lasting than that of any other scientist of last century. His contributions not only affected the science but also affected the life of human being. He was named as The Man of the Century by the "Time" magazine. His name was and is still used as a synonym for the revolutionary developments of modern natural science.

Next year is the 100th anniversary of his three important papers. The year of 1905 was named as the year of a miracle. So, UN decided the year of 2005 is the year of physics intends to prize Einstein’s contributions. There will be held all kinds of memorial activities, around the world, lectures, research, etc, organized by the physics society of each country. Another miracle is expected in the year of 2005.