Albert Einstein's journey towards formulating the theory of relativity was a complex and iterative process that began more than seventeen years before its completion. Initially sparked by the problem of the optical properties of moving bodies and the search for evidence of the ether, Einstein's thoughts evolved through encounters with experiments like Michelson's and discussions with colleagues like Michele Besso.
His breakthrough came with the realization that time and signal velocity are inseparably linked, leading to the resolution of contradictions between electromagnetism and mechanics. The completion of the special theory of relativity followed shortly thereafter, providing a philosophical and Machian-consistent framework for understanding motion and energy.
Later, Einstein's dissatisfaction with the limitations of the special theory led him to conceive the general theory of relativity in 1907. The pivotal moment came during a simple thought experiment on gravity while sitting in his patent office. By extending relativity to include accelerating frames of reference, he laid the groundwork for understanding gravity as a curvature of spacetime.
The final piece of the puzzle fell into place when he recognized the significance of Riemannian geometry in describing gravitational phenomena, leading to the correct equations for gravity. Beyond 1915, Einstein's work delved into cosmology, tackling the problem of inertia and the universe's geometry. By imposing invariance on gravitational equations' boundary conditions, he concluded that inertia arises from interacting matter within a closed universe.
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