Louisiana State University Physics & Astronomy

"Why is it Einstein? What Lesson Can We Draw?"

John S. Rigden
Washington University-St. Louis

In six months, one week, and two days, Einstein wrote five papers in 1905 that changed physics. One of these papers was revolutionary. Ten years later, after almost a decade of focused effort, Einstein produced what has frequently been called the greatest product of the human mind. These accomplishments qualify him as one of the greatest physicists of all time and curiously, 52 years after his death, he remains a presence in the minds of our contemporaries. Why does Einstein, a physicist, have such appeal to people everywhere? What lessons can we, as physicists, draw from the Einstein phenomenon?

Updated: Wed, 25-Jul-2007 9:50 AM