100 Years Ago

An interesting interview with Prof. Einstein appeared in the Daily Chronicle of January 15. A German by birth, Prof. Einstein went to Switzerland in his early youth, where he became naturalised. For some years he was professor of physics at the Federal Polytechnikum in Zürich, and for a short time also at the University of Prague. Shortly before the outbreak of war he was “called” to the University of Berlin, where he is still working, being at the same time director of the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Physical Research. Now little more than forty years of age, this eminent man of science conceived the outlines of the theory of relativity at the early age of eighteen, and presented his special theory to the scientific world at the age of twenty-seven. Prof. Einstein regards Prof. Lorentz (Leyden) as his “cooperator” in the special theory of relativity. He points out that, far from vitiating the results of Newton, the theory of relativity rather enhances the greatness of this genius. Though these new ideas will not overthrow the general conceptions of mankind, they will leave their impress on men’s thinking in the philosophical and allied sciences.

From Nature 22 January 1920

150 Years Ago

England seems ready to resign the position she once held as chief of all the competitors in Arctic exploration. Our flag has been carried within 7½ degrees of the North Pole; our seamen have forced from the ice-bound straits which lie to the north of America the secret of the North-Western Passage; and from the days of Scoresby until those of Franklin we have been foremost in scientific researchers within the dreary Arctic wastes. But now the answer to all who would emulate the deeds of a Parry or a Ross, a Beecher or a Franklin, is the stereotyped cui bono. A business account of the probable gains of an Arctic journey must be rendered before England will send men or ships to the Polar seas. In the meantime, Swedish and German explorers are pushing their way boldly into the regions where England won her Arctic laurels — perhaps we ought rather to say, ice-wreaths. Already the most northerly spot reached by our seamen has been all but attained, and there is yet room for supposing that this very year the second German expedition may push its way to the Pole itself.

From Nature 20 January 1870