Einstein section: Chronology of Events
Note: This is not an exhaustive timeline but a curated list of key historical events depicted in the book. All events listed are factual, not fictional.
Albert Einstein is born in Ulm, Germany to Hermann & Pauline Einstein
Receives compass from his father while ill
Quits Luitpold Gymnasium to join his family in Italy
Enrolls at Aarau cantonal school in Switzerland
Begins studies at Zurich Polytechnic
Graduates from Zurich Polytechnic
Begins job at Swiss patent office in Bern. Starts ”Olympia Academy”
Marries Mileva Marić
First son, Hans Albert Einstein, is born
Miracle Year: Publishes four revolutionary papers + dissertation
Has the “happiest thought” of his life, leading to general relativity
Appointed associate professor at University of Zurich
Becomes full professor at University of Prague. Attends 1st Solvay Conference
Returns to Zurich as professor at Zurich Polytechnic
Accepts offer to join Prussian Academy of Sciences in Berlin
Separates from Mileva and begins relationship with Elsa in Berlin
Completes & presents theory of general relativity to Prussian Academy
Publishes paper on “stimulated emission”, the foundation for the laser
General relativity confirmed by eclipse measurements, catapulting him to fame
Meets Niels Bohr for first time; Bohr–Einstein debates begin
Travels to the US for the first time; lectures on relativity at Princeton
Awarded Nobel Prize in Physics for photoelectric effect explanation
Corresponds with Satyendra Bose; co-develops Bose-Einstein statistics
Attends 5th Solvay Conference. Debate with Bohr becomes public
Attends 6th Solvay Conference; has intellectual showdown with Bohr
Emigrates to the US, joins Institute for Advanced Study at Princeton
Coauthors EPR paper on “spooky action at a distance”
Sends letter to FDR that triggered US development of atomic bomb
Writes second letter to FDR urging caution on using atomic weapons
Declines offer to become the President of Israel
Signs Russell–Einstein Manifesto; dies a week later
