Einstein's Grimace in famous photo: We finally know the truth

While the model is well-known and recognised, what do we know about the behind-the-scenes of this photo?

Tongue out, hair in a mess, mischievous look: the photo of the famous Albert Einstein was taken on 14 March 1951, in Princeton (United States). The scientist was leaving a party organised for his 72nd birthday. As he was heading towards the exit, Einstein was harassed by a horde of journalists who had been following him closely all day. Exhausted, he quickly cut through the crowd to slip into his car, between two friends: the American scientist Frank Aydelotte, former director of the research centre where he worked, and his wife Marie, according to the RTBF.

"Please Albert, smile"

As Einstein took his seat in the vehicle, the photographer Arthur Sasse rushed up to him, begging him to smile. The result? The Nobel Prize-winning physicist, somewhat annoyed by the surrounding commotion, stuck out his tongue at him.

It's the press agency for which the photographer worked that, initially hesitant, decided to offer the photo to the newspapers. And so the snapshot of Einstein travelled the globe, eventually becoming a true symbol of pop culture. And no anger on the scientist's part, who found this photo remarkable, representative of his defiance of authority and, above all, his freedom to act as he pleased. The grimace turned into a smile...

(MH with Olivia Stasse - Source: RTBF - Illustration: ©Unsplash)