Einstein Exhibit In-Depth in New York

Astrophysicist Michael Shara, curator of the American Museum of Natural History’s in-depth exhibition “Einstein,” tried hard during a recent public discussion to explain how Albert Einstein was able to conceive of special relativity, general relativity, Brownian motion, and the photoelectric effect. “He was simply a brilliant man,” Shara said, then quickly conceded that the adjective “brilliant” was a gross understatement. “He could see things nobody could see. He could look at the universe with fresh eyes.”

The exhibit, which opened in November 2002 at the New York City museum and runs through 10 August 2003, is one of the most comprehensive Einstein programs ever put together. Pages from several of Einstein’s original, handwritten manuscripts are on display, including parts of his profound 1905 paper on special relativity. The displays are regularly changed during the exhibit’s run and many letters, both scientific and personal, are being presented. A letter from David Ben-Gurion, in which he offers Einstein the presidency of Israel, is part of the exhibit, as are letters from Einstein to his wives, children, and mistresses. The exhibition was organized by the museum, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles. More information is available at http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/einstein .