HOW EINSTEIN GOT THE NOBEL PRIZE 511A further exchange between Gullstrand and Kretschmann settled their differ-
ences to mutual satisfaction [K3].
Why did Einstein not get the Nobel prize for relativity? Largely, I believe,
because the Academy was under so much pressure to award him. The many letters
sent in his behalf were never the result of any campaign. Leading physicists had
recognized him for what he was. It is understandable that the Academy was in no
hurry to award relativity before experimental issues were clarified, first in special
relativity, later in general relativity. It was the Academy's bad fortune not to have
anyone among its members who could competently evaluate the content of relativ-
ity theory in those early years. Oseen's proposal to give the award for the pho-
toeffect must have come as a relief of conflicting pressures.
Was the photoeffect worth a Nobel prize? Without a doubt. Einstein's paper
on that subject was the first application of quantum theory to systems other than
pure radiation. That paper showed true genius. The order of awards for quantum
physics was perfect: first Planck, then Einstein, then Bohr. It is a touching twist
of history that the Committee, conservative by inclination, would honor Einstein
for the most revolutionary contribution he ever made to physics.
References*
Al. C. Aurivillius, letter to A. Einstein, November 10, 1922.
A2. S. Arrhenius, letter to A. Einstein, March 17, 1923.
Bl. N. Bohr, letter to SAS, January 30, 1920.
B2. M. Brillouin, letter to SAS, November 12, 1921.
B3. H. L. Bergson, Oeuvres (A. Robinet, Ed.). Presses Univ. de France, Paris, 1970.
El. Use Einstein, letter to Prof. Sederholm, April 6, 1923.
E2. A. Einstein, letter to S. Arrhenius, March 23, 1923.
E3. , Grundgedanken und Probleme der Relativitdtstheorie. Imprimerie Royale,
Stockholm, 1923.
E4. , Verh. Deutsch. Phys. Ges. 20, 261 (1917).
E5: A. S. Eddington, letter to SAS, January 1, 1921.
Gl. A. Gullstrand, Ark. Mat. Astr. Fys. 16, No. 8 (1921).
G2. , Ark. Mat. Astr. Fys. 17, No. 3 (1922).
HI. J. A. Hedvall, letter to H. Dukas, November 19, 1971.
H2. M. Herzberger, Opt. Acta 7, 237 (1960).
Kl. C. Kirsten and H. J. Treder, Albert Einstein m Berlin, Vol. 1, pp. 113-18. Aka-
demie Verlag, Berlin, 1979.
K2. E. Kretschmann, Ark. Mat. Astr. Fys. 17, No. 2 (1922).
K3. , Ark. Mat. Ast. Fys. 17, No. 25 (1923); with an added comment by Gullstrand.
LI. M. von Laue, letter to A. Einstein, September 18, 1922.*In these references, SAS stands for Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.