| Perhaps the most famous equation is Albert | | | | printed, not authentically signed. An identical |
| Einstein's "E=mc2. Although most of us have seen | | | | signature appears on the follow-up letter (my |
| it, most have no idea of what it actually means. | | | | example is dated "May 20, 1947") which thanks a |
| Well relax, we won't discuss quantum physics | | | | supporter for a contribution and requests |
| here. We will however explain many letters sent | | | | continued support. |
| by the "Energy Committee of Atomic Scientists" | | | | The easiest way to identify this non-genuine |
| that contain the facsimile signature of Einstein. | | | | signature is the "t" dotting of the first "i" in |
| Albert Einstein and a team of incredibly talented | | | | Einstein. The signature is printed in blue ink and has |
| scientists and physicists created the theories, | | | | the characteristics of uniform ink intensity. |
| equations and technology that became the atomic | | | | One of my favorite examples is one of Einstein's |
| bomb. The controversy in the news today about | | | | bank checks. It comes with an interesting story |
| the use of that weapon is not new. At the | | | | that provides us with insight on the man's thought |
| conclusion of World War II, and even earlier many | | | | process. The item was obtained by a telephone |
| experts shared great concern about the power | | | | operator at the Center For Advanced Studies in |
| of nuclear energy harnessed into a bomb. | | | | Princeton, where Einstein worked. One morning |
| Many post war letters were mailed by the | | | | she asked Einstein for his signature. "Dr. Einstein, |
| "Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists" to | | | | could I have your autograph for my grandson?" |
| raise money to educate the public about atomic | | | | she queried. His response surprised her. "I'll bring it |
| energy. The call was to raise $1,000,000.00. The | | | | tomorrow!" he quipped, as he hurried past her. |
| letter begins; "...Through the release of atomic | | | | Bring it? Why not just scribble it on a slip of |
| energy, our generation has brought into the world | | | | paper? The next day he left the check for her. |
| the most revolutionary force since prehistoric | | | | This superb example is written to the National |
| man's discovery of fire. This basic power of the | | | | Academy of Sciences. That makes it quite a nice |
| universe cannot be fitted into the outmoded | | | | association piece. Where is it now? The collector |
| concept of narrow nationalism..." This letter dated | | | | that owns it told me it has entered the "black |
| January 22, 1947 concludes by requesting a | | | | hole" of the autograph collecting world (that |
| donation to the cause. Each letter carries the | | | | means he's keeping it forever). Quite appropriate |
| signature of Albert Einstein. The signature was | | | | for Einstein's signature don't you think? |