Though widely known for relativity, Einstein won the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics for explaining the photoelectric effect, which demonstrated that light consists of particles (photons)—a discovery that laid the groundwork for quantum mechanics. Mass-Energy Equivalence: The equation

Albert Einstein (1879–1955) remains the world’s most recognizable symbol of genius, a man who redefined our understanding of space, time, and the very fabric of the universe. His 1905 "Miracle Year" ( annusa n n u s mirabilism i r a b i l i s

Albert Einstein | Biography, Education, Discoveries, & Facts

revealed that mass and energy are two forms of the same thing, providing the theoretical basis for both nuclear power and the atomic bomb.