Einstein’s Universe: 1905–

“I cannot seriously believe in it [quantum theory] because the theory cannot be reconciled with the idea that physics should represent a reality in time and space, free from spooky actions at a distance [spukhafte Fernwirkungen],” said Albert Einstein. Einstein is usually regarded as the greatest scientist of the 20th century. Coming from obscurity, he revolutionized several fields with the simultaneous publication of papers on topics ranging from the quantum nature of light to the equivalence of mass and energy. “Einstein’s Revolution” is at the least an ambiguous term as it could apply to more than one groundbreaking discovery. It might be fair to say Einstein created as many paradoxes as he solved. The longest-lasting paradoxes have been the consequences of the theory of general relativity, where investigations even today of the nature of the universe produce inconclusive results. Ironically, Einstein did not really participate in the later developments of relativity, partly because he was reluctant to believe some of the implications of his own model. It remains impossible to reconcile relativity and quantum mechanics. Paradox piles upon paradox.