Gallery: Rare and Iconic Photos of Einstein Celebrate His Nobel Win 90 Years Ago
© Bettmann/CORBIS01nobel-prize
Ask anyone to name an iconic scientist and most people will say Albert Einstein. He was his generation’s greatest physicist as well as an international celebrity and humanitarian. Many people can tell you at least something about his renowned Theory of Relativity, though the details probably elude them right now. Einstein’s fame extends to pop culture, where photos of the eminent scientist can be seen plastered on mugs, t-shirts, postcards, and [internet memes](http://knowyourmeme.com/memes/einstein-blackboard). Though many images are well known — Einstein framed by his wild hair sticking his tongue out at the camera — there are still a good number that rarely see the light of day. In honor of the 90th anniversary of Albert Einstein winning the Nobel Prize in physics, we are presenting a collection of photographs — some famous, some rare — that exemplify this singular man. The images come from the [Bettmann Archive](http://corporate.corbis.com/citizenship/bettmann-archive/), a collection of more than 11 million historical photographs owned by [Corbis Images](http://corporate.corbis.com/about-us/history/). Einstein actually received the 1921 Nobel physics prize but, because of the first World War, the announcement was delayed. He got the medal on Nov. 9, 1922 not for his Theory of Relativity, which was still controversial at the time, but for his earlier work on the photoelectric effect, which is the basis for modern solar power. Einstein wasn’t actually in Europe during the prize ceremony, he was away on a [cross-country journey to lecture in Japan](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/wiredscience/2012/09/new-einstein-papers/). His friend and fellow physicist Niels Bohr received the 1922 physics Nobel during the same ceremony and was upset that Einstein wouldn’t be there to attend the proceedings with him. Nobel Prize ----------- A color photo from the early 20th century showing Einstein at about the time he received the Nobel Prize in physics. The scientist has some sweet style.
© Underwood & Underwood/Corbis02einstein-talking-about-space-ether
Einstein Talking About Space Ether ---------------------------------- Einstein addresses a group of scientists in Berlin, lecturing on the concept of “space-ether,” which his theories helped overturn.
© CORBIS03einstein-reading
Einstein Reading ---------------- A young Einstein taking a reading break.
© Bettmann/CORBIS04be034861.jpg
Einstein at a Blackboard ------------------------ A famous image of Einstein writing physics equations on a blackboard during a lecture at Caltech in 1931.
Arthur Sasse05einsteins-famous-tongue
Einstein’s Famous Tongue ------------------------ Albert Einstein sticks out his tongue when asked by photographers to smile for his 72 birthday. This famous image shows the eminent scientist’s irreverent nature. The photo was taken at Princeton in 1951.
© Bettmann/CORBIS06gathering-of-genius
Gathering of Genius ------------------- Sinclair Lewis, Frank Kellogg, Albert Einstein, and Irving Langmuir stand together at the Hotel Roosevelt in New York in 1933. All are Nobel Prize winners, and have gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s birth.
© Bettmann/Corbis07einstein-at-the-amc
Einstein at the AMC ------------------- Einstein attends a session of the Eight American Scientific Congress in Washington D.C. in 1940.
© Bettmann/CORBIS08einstein-on-a-boat
Einstein on a Boat ------------------ Einstein in 1930, arriving by boat in New York City. The scientist was on his way to California to spend the winter lecturing and working on his theories.
© Bettmann/CORBIS09the-most-interesting-physicist-in-the-world
The Most Interesting Physicist in the World ------------------------------------------- Einstein doesn’t always say that [things don’t travel faster than the speed of light](http://stag-komodo.wired.com/wiredscience/2011/09/neutrino-revolution/). But when he does, he’s damn well right about it.
© Bettmann/CORBIS10einstein-lecturing
Einstein Lecturing ------------------ Einstein looking somewhat deflated as he lectures in front of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 1934.
Sylvia Salmi11einsteins-cowlick
Einstein’s Cowlick ------------------ Einstein in 1933 with his famous crop of unruly hair behaving badly.
© CORBIS12elder-einstein
Elder Einstein -------------- Einstein poses for a photo near the end of his life.
