On March 14, 1951, Einstein’s 72nd birthday, the photo was taken just following an event honouring him at Princeton.
Reporters followed Mrs. Aydelotte back to their car with Dr. Frank Aydelotte, the former chairman of the Institute for Advanced Study, hoping to acquire pictures of Einstein.
When the throng of reporters had scattered around the car, UPI photographer Arthur Sasse let them snap shots and urged, “Ya, Professor, smile for your birthday picture, Ya?.”
Einstein feared the photographer wouldn’t be fast enough, so he immediately turned his head aside with his tongue out. Einstein most likely intended to try to spoil the picture with his move. But his scheme fell apart.
The editors argued about whether or not to feature the picture; Sasse recalls that the chief editor disagreed while the assignment editor, Caveo Sileo, approved of it. They thus convened with the great chiefs upstairs.
We utilised the picture once it got approved. Einstein already had a reputation for being a bit eccentric, hence the picture was considered as another proof of his charm and helped to define him as the nutty professor.
Often used in goods honouring Einstein in a playful manner, the picture is among the most well-known ever taken of him.
The original picture had Dr. and Mrs. Aydelotte in the automobile, but Einstein himself clipped it since he loved it so much and sent greeting cards with the picture to his friends.
He asked UPI for nine copies for personal use, one of which he signed for a reporter.
The original autographed portrait auctioned for $74,324, a record for an Einstein picture on June 19, 2009.
(Photo credit: Arthur Sasse).
No Comments