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Einstein Defends the Theory of Relativity Against a Proponent of Universal Time! Fantastic ALS
Einstein Defends the Theory of Relativity Against a Proponent of Universal Time! Fantastic ALS
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Albert Einstein
[Berlin, Germany], ca. July 1920
Einstein Defends the Theory of Relativity Against a Proponent of Universal Time! Fantastic ALS
ALS

An exciting autograph letter from Albert Einstein to Swiss physicist and persistent critic Édouard Guillaume, in which he defends his theory of special relativity. 1p in German, measuring 8.5" x 10.5", [Berlin], no date but ca. July 1920. Signed at conclusion as "Einstein," he refutes Guillaume's attempt to preserve a notion of universal time, insisting that equations must represent measurable physical quantities. He goes on to explain how he quantifies time using the measured value of the length "l", and the measured value of a period of time "t". Exhibits expected letter folds and handling creases, with light staining to upper right. Two hole punches found along the left margin. Else, near fine. For the envelope to this impressive letter, see lot 404 of this auction.

Translated in full:

"My behavior must seem unfriendly and uncollegial to you; it's as if I wanted to condemn you by silence. In reality, however, it's something quite different. I've often tried to understand what you say, but I've always failed utterly. If I wrote about Grossmann that it's nonsense, this had to be understood with the present moment. We call nonsense what we can't understand; there is no other criterion. And you must forgive me all the more as essays and manuscripts rain down on poor me like lashes of a whip on a hackney-carriage nag. But since you press me so energetically, I have no choice but to seek enlightenment through repeated correspondence on the basis of the little enclosed notice and your letter.

You say that [theta] [theta]' are periods of pendulums, that is, things, not quantities, and you write, [theta] t = [theta] 't'.

Are these symbolic equations of some kind? I can't make sense of it as an equation between quantities. I therefore don't understand anything that follows, and I think for the time being that you have surrendered to an impermissible mysticism, forgetting that equations are about quantities. When I talk about the 'length l' or the 'period t' of a pendulum, what I mean by that is always the 'measured value l of the length when measured in a given unit of length' or the 'measured value t of the period when measured in a given unit of time.'

Only after you have cleared this indigestion up for me will I be able to think further. Sincere greetings to you, the old colleagues, and your wife."

Édouard Guillaume (1881-1959) was a Swiss physicist and patent examiner who became a persistent irritant to Einstein throughout the 1910s-20s, stubbornly insisting he had developed a modified theory of relativity that preserved the concept of "universal time". Guillaume opposed Einstein's famous theory, claiming that it mistakes changes in the units of measurement for physical changes and that time can be regarded as absolute. The two rivals eventually began a correspondence in 1917 which lasted several years, although the latter refused to see the error of his ways.

This letter notably comes one year after the 1919 solar eclipse that effectively put Einstein's theory to the test, thus thrusting him into international fame. Before this point, he was no doubt accustomed to defending his ideas against critics such as Guillaume. His theory of relativity replaced the idea that time flows equally everywhere in the universe with a new concept that time flows differently for every independent object. Special relativity, therefore, replaced the conventional notion of an absolute, universal time with the notion of a time that is local to each observer, as expressed in Einstein's formula E=mc². In labeling Guillaume's views as "impermissible mysticism," he is drawing a line between rigorous mathematical physics and mere metaphysical speculation. This distinction became central not only to debates of relative theory, but also in Einstein's later work in quantum mechanics and unified field theory.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 8.5" x 10.5"
  • Medium: ALS

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