Summary: During 1883, an amazing invention shaped our history; it was electric lights. Albert’s father, Hermann Einstein and the rest of his family were going to a party in Munich, Germany, celebrating electric lights. They were so excited to see what it would be like, that they went early so they could get the best spot to view the event. The importance of going to see the lights was because it could be used in buildings and homes. This was a mind-blowing experience for people who knew that if this test succeeded, this could be extremely useful and change the way people live. Albert’s whole family, including Hermann Einstein, understood the importance this new invention. As soon as the excitement was about to begin, the whole crowd grew silent and, with a flip of a switch, the entire party building had lights shining everywhere. People were clapping loudly and cheering so loud that, in an instant, it was as if a bomb had exploded. The cheering grew louder and louder as more of the lights went on. Albert was fascinated with the power of electricity. Electricity had already been invented for use in devices and accessories but electric lighting was not yet invented. Although electricity was being used in their everyday lives, most people did not know what electricity was, or how it works. When Albert returned home with his family from the celebration, he was tired and exhausted.
Albert was born on March 14,1879. When he was young, his mother noticed that he seemed different, and feared he might be “retarded”. Albert wasn’t a big talker; he would only talk to his sister who was two, so there was not much of a conversation going on obviously. On Albert’s first day of school, he only played with the girls and refused to play with the boys. Albert, for some reason, didn’t like “roughhousing” as it states in the text. The schools in Germany were strict. If Albert did something wrong he would be smacked with a ruler on the wrist. When told to stand, sit, or write the students would have to immediately obey or they would pay the consequences of being either smacked or sent to the principal’s office for defiance. Albert loved to day dream about the stars during class but in doing so he was smacked many times. When Albert was older he studied electricity and explained electrons by saying they are,”rays made up of beam particles”. He also mentions electrons and states that, “trillions of them could fit on the tip of a pin”[49].
OPINION: I think that Albert’s day dreaming in class will eventually result in bad grades. I think Albert enjoys science but simply does not like school.
I can relate to Albert struggling to pay attention and daydreaming in class. Seeing light for the first time must have been an amazing experience for Albert. I can’t imagine not having electric lighting. This must have been fascinating because the only light they had ever seen before electric lights was the sun and lamps, which used fire.
How it relates to WWII: Albert Einstein’s work led to the invention of the Atomic Bomb which played a big part in WWII. The two Atomic Bombs that were dropped, ended the war.
Literary Device: On page four, Albert and his uncle are at a party to see the electric lights. The text states that “It almost seemed as if a new and more exciting world had been born in a flash of light”[12]. This is an example of personification because the lights literally changed and lit up the world. This is a sign of personification because it gives a human quality of being born to a more exciting world.
