Albert Einstein

In 1905, Albert Einstein published four papers that revolutionised our understanding of the universe. He won a Nobel Prize for his contribution and came up with the most famous scientific equation: E=mc2–as recognisable as his shock of white hair and bushy ‘tache. At the time of these breakthroughs, however–a year that would become known as his ‘annus mirabilis’, or ‘miraculous year’–he was a dark-haired, doe-eyed 26-year-old. Handsome and known for being a bit of a ladies’ man, he didn’t even have a PhD. In fact, he was working in a Swiss patent office at the time, a role significantly less prestigious than his desired doctorate.

In hindsight, though, the position afforded him time to theorise on the properties of light. Einstein worked best as an independent thinker, which is one of the reasons for his troubled education. Likening his teachers to “drill sergeants,” he earned a reputation