Einstein's Generation

Much of the history of physics at the beginning of the twentieth century has been written with a sharp focus on a few key figures and a handful of notable events. "Einstein's Generation" offers a distinctive new approach to the origins of modern physics by exploring both the material culture that stimulated relativity and the reaction of Einstein's colleagues to his pioneering work.Richard Staley weaves together the diverse strands of experimental and theoretical physics, commercial instrument making, and the sociology of physics around 1900 to present a complete view of the collective efforts of a group whose work helped set the stage for Einstein's revolutionary theories and the transition from classical to modern physics that followed. Collecting papers, talks, catalogues, conference proceedings, and correspondence, Staley juxtaposes scientists' views of relativity at the time to modern understandings of its history. Ultimately, "Einstein's Generation" tells the story of a group of individuals whose work engendered some of the most significant advances of the twentieth century - and challenges our celebration of Einstein's era above all others.

"One of the ever pressing dangers for the history of science is that it becomes the history of great men and women. Therefore, any book that emphasizes the setting of a scientific change is to be welcomed and, where Einstein is concerned, is to be doubly welcomed. Staley's overall project, then, is a great one." - Harry Collins, author of Rethinking Expertise"

Richard Staley is assistant professor in the Department of the History of Science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.