Patch Blog: Did Albert Einstein Visit South Pas?

Albert Einstein is without a doubt one of the most famous scientists the world has
known. The German-born American physicist Einstein (1879-1955) was born in Ulm but he grew up and obtained his early education in Munich. Surprisingly, he was not a child prodigy.

Einstein’s formal secondary education was abruptly terminated at age 16. He found school intolerable and his teacher expelled him for his rebellious attitude. Einstein tried to enter the Federal Institute of Technology in Switzerland but he failed the entrance examination. Fortunately, within a year he realized his future was in physics, not the Swiss Institute.

In 1902 he became a technical expert in the Patent Office in Bern, Switzerland. By the time he was 26 he completed his doctorate and wrote the first of his revolutionary scientific papers. It was his papers that first made Einstein famous, and universities soon began competing for his services. In 1917 he accepted a lucrative research professorship at the University of Berlin and In 1920 Einstein was appointed to a lifelong honorary professorship at the University of Leiden.

On several occasions, Einstein visited the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, and they offered him a position on his terms in 1933. It’s interesting to note that Einstein is known to have visited South Pasadena during his Cal Tech stay and sometimes could even be seen riding a bicycle on Orange Grove Blvd. The current operators of the (South Pasadena’s Cultural Landmark #36) report that Albert once attended a dinner party there in the 30s at the urging of Anna Bissell McCay, who resided there with her husband William Southerland McCay, a prominent architect.

Mrs. McCay was the daughter of Melville Bissell who had made a fortune in Michigan when he designed and manufactured the famous carpet sweepers bearing his name that can still be found in many American homes. While at the dinner party Professor Einstein caused a stir when he voiced his preference for the company of Mrs. McCay’s 7 year-old niece over that of the adults there. As a result the youngster was seated with the adults, a very uncommon occurrence for the time.

The Bissell House does not possess any photographs of Einstein at their B&B, although photos do exist in the hands of at least one private collector. However, one of the Bissell House’s employees, Carolyn Beehler, a 24 year-old illustrator and designer who moved to LA in 2011 to pursue art, has rendered a drawing of Einstein that is on display there.

Einstein left Cal Tech for Princeton and in 1939 he played a key role in the development of the atomic bomb. When his famous equation E=mc2 was used in making the bomb that destroyed Hiroshima. Einstein the humanitarian was deeply distressed and shocked. Although he died in 1955 interest in Einstein is probably at an all-time peak today, due in large part to the number one nonfiction bestseller of a few years ago, “Einstein: His Life and Universe” by Walter Isaacson.

South Pasadena Public Library and of the , with the support of the Living History Centre Fund, proudly present “The Relativity of Albert Einstein” starring Broadway and film veteran Duffy Hudson. The free, one-person play will be showcased on October 6, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the Library Community Room. Special thanks to the Bissell House and to Carolyn Beehler, one of their employees who contributed the use of her drawing of Einstein for the promotion of the program.

During the play Einstein will explain the Theory of Relativity in a fun, exciting way. No knowledge of physics or mathematics is required. The show will also cover Einstein’s life and humor, the Speed of Light, time travel, gravity, and space time. As a special bonus, it will also answer the question “What does E=MC2 mean anyway?” The performance will enable students and adults alike to envision the workings of the Universe with new eyes.

Actor, director, writer, teacher, and filmmaker Duffy Hudson is co-owner of Cincinatus Motion Pictures, a film company whose first feature film “Tattered Angel”starred Lynda Carter. Hudson’s recent film acting credits include “The Greater Good,” “Finders Keepers,” and “Hell-O-Ween.” Mr. Hudson has also performed on Broadway and directed more than 300 theatrical pieces, while working with Brooke Shields, Jessica Lange, Don Johnson, Tatum O’Neal, and Marlo Thomas. Hudson is also the author of the children’s book, “The Boy Who Came from Heaven.”

The Library Community Room is located at 1115 El Centro Street. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and no tickets or reservations are necessary. Refreshments will be served.

Click on the YouTube video attached to see Duffy as Einstein.