MakersRadio's fifth podcast is about the Leiden physicist Paul Ehrenfest, a brilliant physicist, passionate teacher and a good friend of Albert Einstein. But despite his achievements, Paul Ehrenfest was deeply unhappy. Richard den Haring and René van Es made a portrait of this professor by special appointment on the basis of letters and conversations with experts.
The Leiden physicist Paul Ehrenfest was known as a brilliant physicist and an inspired teacher. He was also good friends with Albert Einstein. And when students received lectures from him in his living room, renowned scientists such as the Danish atomic physicist Niels Bohr could join in. Because of his critical attitude and his tendency to question everything, colleagues called him the conscience of physics.
But despite his achievements, Paul Ehrenfest was very humble and actually deeply unhappy. Unhappy about the developments in physics, about modern society and finally about himself. We made a portrait of this professor by special appointment on the basis of letters and conversations with experts.
Radio producers Richard den Haring and René van Es make fascinating radio documentaries about science and scientists with the podcast project 'MakersRadio'. After the successful pilot 'Kou Leiden' - it was voted the best local radio program in the Netherlands in 2015 - more inspiring stories at the interface of science &culture are on the horizon. Look at www.makersradio.nl for more info.