Abstract

In 1905, Albert Einstein published five scientific articles that fundamentally changed the world-view of physics: The Special Theory of Reativity revolutionized our concept of space and time, E=mc? became the best-known equation in physics. On the occasion of the 100th aniversary of Einstein's "annus mirabilis" 1905, the UNESCO declared the year 2005 the "World Year of Physics", in order to draw attention to the impact of physics. The Max Planck Institute for the History of Science dedicates an exhibition to the easily most important scientist of the 20th century. The exhibition is accompanied by a two-volume catalogue. The elaborate, four-colour first volume (Albert Einstein - Chief Engineer of the Universe: Einstein's Life and Work in Context) mirrors the structure of the exhibition, containing detailed, easy-to-understand information on the three large exhibition areas - World-view and discovery - Einstein - his life - Einstein's world today. On the basis of Einstein's innovative theoretical work, the text explains changing historical world-views as well as the conditions under which science develops, shedding light on the bumpy path of Einstein's life and the political and social revolutions which formed its background. This bridge between scientific and cultural history opens up a perspective on Einstein's biography which goes far beyond the traditional picture of this exceptional science genius. The book concludes with a depiction of the effects of Einstein's work on today's science and culture. A DVD with animations and film sequences from the exhibition is enclosed. The second volume is a bilingual collection of source material (Documents of a Life's Pathway/Dokumente eines Lebensweges). Letters and manuscripts by Einstein as well as photographs of people and objects are reproduced in high quality and invite the reader to study the exhibition's sources more intensively.