On the discovery of Birkhoff's theorem

TL;DR

This paper uncovers the historical discovery of Birkhoff's theorem, revealing that J.T. Jebsen, an overlooked Norwegian physicist, originally discovered the theorem two years before Birkhoff, highlighting an important historical correction.

Contribution

It clarifies the true origin of Birkhoff's theorem by identifying Jebsen as its original discoverer, correcting the historical record.

Findings

Jebsen discovered the theorem in 1921.

Birkhoff's theorem is actually Jebsen's earlier work.

Jebsen's life and scientific contributions are summarized.

Abstract

Birkhoff showed in 1923 that the Schwarzschild solution for the metric from a point particle was also valid in the a priori non-static case as long as the spherical symmetry was maintained. This theorem was actually discovered and published two years earlier by an unknown Norwegian physicist, J.T. Jebsen. His life and scientific career is briefly chronicled.