German Men of Ideas: Albert Einstein (1879-1955)
"The release of atom power has changed everything except our way of thinking...the solution to this problem lies in the heart of mankind. If only I had known, I should have become a watchmaker."
Field of Study: Nobel Prize-winning theoretical physicist, philosopher, peace activist.
Revolutionary Insight: In his mid-20s, published papers that upended Newton's law of gravity with general & special theories of relativity. Argued that the speed of light remains constant, but space and time aren't absolute; gravity is an expression of how four-dimensional space-time curves around large masses -- a seemingly simple notion that underpins modern astrophysics & the Big Bang Theory.
Controversy Quotient (0to 5): (2) Fled Nazi Germany in 1933; convinced U.S. to begin developing atomic bomb during World War II; later regretted his role in rise of nuclear technology, becoming a pacifist & fierce civil rights advocate.
Little Known Fact: In 1952, after the first president of Israel died, Einstein was offered the post. He declined, saying, "I lack both the natural aptitude and the experience to deal properly with people."
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
