Is it possible that Einstein's wife had major role in his discoveries?

Question

I mean, not just as wife, but also as a fellow scientist/collaborator?

http://www.pbs.org/opb/einsteinswife/index.htm

Answer 1

It is unlikely that Einstein would not have credited his wife had she helped him in any major way. He probably discussed his findings with her, but was almost certainly responsible for discovering them and elaborating on them on his own

Answer 2

Einstein had an ability to abstract thinking, only very few people ever had. His wife was very intelligent and most likely helped him to sort things out. I remember, when I wrote my thesis (we didn't had computers then), my girlfriend sorted and typed for me. I could never have done it without her. What she lacked was creative thinking, it just wasn't there. Maybe that situation with Einstein was similar (I am not trying to compare the level, just the process)

Answer 3

if they were collaborators,she did definitely had a role,and

however ,she received the money from the prize,but she was

ill,and Einstein continue to the end of his life doing what he loved the most,physics,maybe the mystery relays in his love affairs,not on his research,remember that what it was an

important matter and secrecy was the utmost important

thing in those cases

Answer 4

None of us live in isolation. Everyone we interact with has an effect upon our thinking. As his wife was a constant interaction in his life and a gifted scientist in her own right, I find it difficult to suggest that she did not have a major role in his discoveries. They would have spoken every day and discussed the work and the ideas. You have to remember that society of the day did not give credit to women, and her PhD was rejected for political reasons. I would suggest that almost every great scientist has a life partner of equal greatness. Einstein almost certainly had Aspergers syndrome and without a supporting relationship, it is doubtful that he would have been able to move out of the patent office.

Answer 5

Here's an article containing references to a fair number of opinions on the subject:

http://itis.volta.alessandria.it/epistem...

Short answer: almost certainly.

Answer 6

Doubtfull as he had a few. I believe that his last was also his cousin.

He didn't get along well with either of them. Also his discoveries were made when he was young and I believe unmarried although I could be wrong on that count.

Answer 7

His wife, Mileva, was a talented mathematics student when Einstein fell in love with her around 1896.  She was unusual as the only female to be studying the subject.

It is likely that their shared love of mathematics was discussed between them (and, of course, could have seemed one of her attractions to Einstein) Whether or not she helped with his theories is doubtful.  Einstein thought so differently from his contemporaries that most people just couldn't understand him.

It is probable that Mileva, too, could not keep with him.  They did have a daughter in 1902, before they were married in 1903, but her whereabouts and fate are not known.

The short answer is that no-one really knows.  Certainly Albert was able to keep a huge amount of knowledge in his head, and no serious critic would imagine he 'stole' or borrowed the ideas from anyone else, wife or not.  Einstein himself complimented Mileva on her intellect and on one occasion remarked that she was his equal.  How much validity can be given to that statement is debatable...but who knows?

He had a brilliant mind and although Mileva was a very bright student and well qualified I believe it doubtful that she contributed much to his theories.

Cheers,

BobSpain

Answer 8

Didn't you read the editors note. There seems to be a move on to reinterpret history through a " feminist lens " . She may of been helpful, bu that is all there was to that. And while were at it, Watson and Crick are the elucidators of DNA.

Answer 9

Which one?

Answer 10

I'm going to bet she did, although I didn't read the article you cited in your post.

Rumor has it that she was far more a genious than he was.

Was she actually married to him? I knew they were long time lovers, just never was aware they were married.

Answer 11

einstein ( is thought) had a medical condition that was all most like a idiot savant called aspergers disorder, its reported that he had some of the traits of that problem. so maybe his wife was more translater and nurse than a major role in his discoveries

Answer 12

I'm sure she did a heckuva lot more than wash his socks!  But she just couldn't talk him out of his brand of hair product, now could she.