One of the world’s most famous scientists didn’t learn to say a word until he was three years old. His high school Greek teacher told him “nothing will ever become of you”. A few years down the road he failed his college entrance exams on his first try. Know who he is? 

Here are a few more clues.  He finally went to college to become a high school science teacher in order to avoid conscription into the army, but eventually became a patent clerk.  His first scientific paper was an absolute stunner about the physics of drinking straws. Of course soon thereafter he submitted a paper entitled “On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies.” Can you imagine a young Einstein playing with drinking straws then coming up with E=mc2?

I wonder if you knew that “On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies.” didn’t actually have a single citation! Imagine submitting your next manuscript with ZERO references.  The only other person acknowledged was a fellow patent clerk named Michael Besso. So in essence, Einstein reached his theory by pure thought process.  Pure scientific thought, no jazz.

I hope you enjoyed these anecdotes about Albert Einstein and remember that great insights can come from scientists of all levels from undergraduates in the lab to the most seasoned principle investigators.