General Relativity: 100 Years Old And Still Full Of Surprises
Albert Einstein Library of Congress—Oren Jack Turner/Getty Images In 1947, at age 67, Einstein persevered in developing a single unified theory that would combine electromagnetism and gravity — a quest that still eludes physicists today. In 1913, Albert Einstein had stalled in his efforts to construct his general theory of relativity. He pleaded with his friend Marcel Grossmann for a mathematical boost: “Grossmann, you’ve got to help me, otherwise I’ll go mad!” Four years later, as Einstein was finishing a paper on the cosmic implications of his (finally) completed theory, the malady had migrated to other parts of the body. He had a stomach ulcer; he suffered from liver disease. Worn out by his mental exertions, Einstein thought he was dying. He wrote to fellow...