By Lubna Abdel-Aziz It all started with a compass. The revolutionary scientific theory that changed our concept of the universe, took root in 1884 when a five-year-old German boy named Albert Einstein came across a pocket compass. Einstein grew up to be the most important scientist of the 20th century, and one of the greatest physicists of all time. The year was 1905, an epic year in the history of physical science. Einstein contributed three remarkable scientific papers to the "Annalen Der Physik", a German scientific periodical. Each of the papers became the basis for a new branch of science. In March, 1905, he created "the quantum theory of light", explaining the photoelectric effect. The result was the "electric eye" a device which made possible sound motion pictures, television, among others. Ironically though, the least favourite of his theories, which he revised again and again, was "the quantum theory" that won him his Nobel Prize for physics in 1921. Perhaps the Nobel Committee tried to steer away from the controversy surrounding his theory of relativity. In April, he invented a new way of counting and determining the atoms or molecules in a given space. In May, he explained the phenomenon of "Brownian motion". In June, he completed his theory of relativity, then came an extension his "special relativity", in which Einstein proved that energy and matter are linked in the most famous relationship in physics. Einstein derived the equation: E=MC2, where E = energy, M = mass, and C = the speed of light. The only absolute he maintained, was the speed of light. No wonder historians called 1905 Annus Mirabilis, the miracle year. At age 26 Einstein was only starting on an unparalleled, spectacular career in science, and a life filled with all the highs and lows, that all ordinary men experience. With the revelation of a number of personal letters recently made available to the public by step-daughter Margot Einstein, which were to remain sealed until 20 years following her death, we learn more of the "downs" of this greatest of geniuses. Born in Ulm, Germany, 1879, to Hermann and Paulina (née Koch). Einstein grew up in Munich where he spent most of his childhood. Non-observant Jews, his parents sent him to a Catholic elementary school, and his mother insisted that he take violin lessons. Though he initially hated them, he would later take solace in strumming his violin, and listening for hours to Mozart's sonatas. One afternoon in 1884, Hermann Einstein brought home a pocket compass for his five-year-old Albert. The little boy was totally impressed by the mysterious behaviour of the compass needle, which kept pointing in the same direction, no matter which way the compass was turned. At this tender age, he realised that something in "empty" space, acted upon the needle. He would later describe the experience as one of the most revelatory events of his life. He knew then that "something deeply hidden had to be behind things!" He began teaching himself mathematics and science on his own, rather than in school. He built models and mechanical devices for fun, demonstrating remarkable mathematical abilities for his age. At 10 he was introduced to key scientific and philosophical texts, including Kant's Critique of Pure Reason. Two of his uncles fostered his intellectual instincts, by recommending and providing books on science, mathematics, and philosophy. By age 12, he had taught himself "Euclidean plane geometry" and calculus. For all his knowledge and brilliance, Einstein had an unstable life, an unhappy marriage, was estranged from his two sons, moved from country to country, and had a nervous breakdown two years after he introduced his theory of gravity, known as General Relativity. He was nursed by a cousin Elsa, whom he later married (1919). In order to obtain a divorce Einstein promised his first wife, Mileva Maric, the Nobel Prize money, awarded him in 1921. In 1933, Albert and Elsa sailed for the United States, where he joined the staff of the newly created Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton University. He became a US citizen in 1940, and immediately began work on the atomic research project "Manhattan." In 1945 the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan, killing 100,000 and injuring hundreds of thousands more. An ardent pacifist he lobbied fiercely for nuclear disarmament, after the war: "I do not know how the Third World War will be fought, but I tell you what they will use in the Fourth -- rocks." Einstein deeply regreted the separation from his sons, Hans Albert (Adu), an Eduard (Tete), who fell victim to schizophrenia, and was institutionalised until his death. Einstein's scope and range made him more than a scientist. He was an artist, a philosopher, a humanist, and though not religious, a firm believer in God. He felt a deep compassion for the oppressed. In a bold move, following the massacre at Deir Yassin, he purchased a full page ad in the New York Times condemning the Zionist treatment of Palestinians. His will never be a half-forgotten name. Einstein ranks fourth amongst the most influential people in history, and was chosen "Man of the Century" by Time magazine in 1999. His very image became the trademark of genius. In a moment of despair he once telegraphed to the New York Times : "The unleashed power of the atom has changed everything, save our mode of thinking and thus we drift towards unparalleled catastrophe." On observing the state of the world today, we are filled with the same despair. Over a century has passed, since he described the atom, and over half a century since his death (1955), yet how relevant is his relativity theory? Are we the better for it? With such a vast historic, philosophic and scientific legacy, what has mankind learned? As we look back on the irrevocable, and forward onto the unknown, we realise to our dismay, that the more we progress, the further we regress. Was it all for naught! Nothing will end war Unless the people themselves refuse to go to war -- Albert Einstein, 1931 interview
