Einstein exhibition opens in Shanghai(1/9)

A photo of Einstein and his family with Chinese hosts in Shanghai in 1922. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)

An exhibition about the life of Albert Einstein opened in Shanghai on Aug. 2, showcasing many original manuscripts and items that the late theoretical physicist left.

The exhibition at the Shanghai Expo Museum, which runs till October 22, features 133 artifacts such as manuscripts, papers and letters from the Albert Einstein Archives Library of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel.

Hanoch Gutfreund, director of the library and former president of the university, said the exhibits were selected from more than 83,000 items that are part of the collection at the university.

A replica of Einstein's study room. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)

One of the manuscripts on exhibition is the one that depicts Einstein's famous Equivalence of Mass and Energy (E=mc2) equation. Also on show are his Nobel Prize medal, high school diploma, musical notes and last letters with philosopher Bertrand Russell discussing what was later known as the Russell?Einstein Manifesto, which called on world leaders to seek peaceful resolutions to international conflict against the backdrop of the Cold War.

"The exhibition shares Einstein's scientific achievements as well as his fascinating personality. We want to create a connection between Einstein and the general public — students, teachers, scientists, and everyone who has an interest in him," Gutfreund said.

There is also a special section in the exhibition detailing Einstein's connection with China and his correspondence with Chinese scientists, a book on Laozi and Taoism that he read, and a photo from his visit to Shanghai.

Fang Zaiqing, a researcher from the Institute for the History of Natural Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, pointed out that Shanghai is the only city in the Chinese mainland that Einstein visited.

Interactive installations in the exhibition that illustrate Einstein's scientific theories on light speed and the relationship of space and gravity. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)

Interactive installations in the exhibition that illustrate Einstein's scientific theories on light speed and the relationship of space and gravity. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)

A letter to Einstein by the then Peking University president Cai Yuanpei in 1922, inviting Einstein to visit China on his trip to Japan. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)

Einstein's manuscript on the equivalence of mass and energy (E=mc2). (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)

Einstein's last letter to philosopher Bertrand Russell discussing what was later known as the Russell?Einstein Manifesto. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)

Notes of Einstein in high school. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)

A book on Laozi and Taoism by Richard Wilhelm that Einstein had read. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)