Einstein's Washington Manuscript on Unified Field Theory

TL;DR

This paper discusses Einstein's 1938 manuscript on unified field theory, revealing insights into his approach and the context of his late work on unifying gravity and electromagnetism.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of Einstein's unpublished 1938 manuscript, offering new understanding of his methodology and intentions in his unified field theory research.

Findings

The manuscript is unique among Einstein's works on unified field theory.

It illustrates Einstein's evolving approach to unification in physics.

The manuscript offers insights into Einstein's scientific process and public engagement.

Abstract

In this note, we point attention to and briefly discuss a curious manuscript of Einstein, composed in 1938 and entitled "Unified Field Theory," the only such writing, published or unpublished, carrying this title without any further specification. Apparently never intended for publication, the manuscript sheds light both on Einstein's modus operandi as well as on the public role of Einstein's later work on a unified field theory of gravitation and electromagnetism.