Comedy of errors boosted 1920s Einstein mania

In his tale of how Albert Einstein became a celebrity in the US (Physics Today, April 2019, page 38 ), Paul Halpern claims that “during a time of xenophobia, globally minded Americans gravitated to him as an outspoken foreign scientist expressing an international outlook.” In support of that claim, Halpern cites Marshall Missner’s paper ¹ “Why Einstein became famous in America.” But he grossly misreads it. Missner’s paper mentions that Einstein’s friendly demeanor and sloppy attire momentarily allayed American xenophobia, but nowhere does it say anything about globally minded Americans and an international outlook.

Missner reveals that the mania generated by Einstein’s 1921 visit was triggered by a comedy of errors. The purpose of the visit was a Zionist fundraising campaign organized by Chaim Weizmann. Einstein was invited to join as a poster child, to be seen on stage with Weizmann but not heard. As Einstein himself described it, he served for display as “a prize-winning ox.”

When Weizmann and Einstein’s ship arrived at its New York pier, thousands of enthusiastic Zionists came to cheer, and they again showed up two days later at City Hall. But they came for Weizmann, not for Einstein. The Yiddish newspapers reported that accurately and mentioned Einstein only briefly. But the English-language newspapers misperceived the celebrations as being in honor of Einstein. The mistaken Anglo narrative quickly gained dominance in the press, and even the Yiddish newspapers then gave more attention to Einstein. With his witticisms, his pipe, his violin, and his casual attire, Einstein made for much better copy than the earnest and formally attired Weizmann. And a superstar was born.

I thank Professor Missner for reviewing this letter and confirming my interpretation of his paper.