Five things most people don't know about Einstein

Einstein's Brain

When Einstein died in 1955, his wish was to cremate his body and scatter his ashes. However, before his body was cremated, pathologist Thomas Harvey at Princeton Hospital conducted an autopsy in which he removed Einstein's brain.

Rather than putting the brain back in the body, Harvey decided to keep it for study. Harvey did not have permission to keep Einstein's brain, but days later, he convinced Einstein's son that it would help science. Thereafter, Harvey was fired from his position at Princeton because he refused to give up Einstein's brain.

Presidency of Israel

A few days after first President of Israel died on November 9, 1952, Einstein was asked if he would accept the position of being the second president of Israel.

Einstein, age 73, declined the offer. In his official letter of refusal, Einstein quoted that he not only lacked the "natural aptitude and the experience to deal properly with people," but also, he was getting old.

No Socks

One has to agree that his dishelved look is a part of Einstein's charm. In addition to his uncombed hair, one of Einstein's peculiar habits was to never wear socks.

Einstein went without socks everywhere. To Einstein, socks were a pain because they often would get holes in them. He also stated that "why wear both socks and shoes when one of them would do just fine?"

Married His Cousin

After Einstein divorced his first wife, Mileva Maric,he married his cousin, Elsa Loewenthal. They were quite closely related. Elsa was actually related to Einstein on both sides of his family.

Einstein's mother and Elsa's mother were sisters, plus Albert's father and Elsa's father were cousins. When they were both little, Elsa and Albert had played together.

Obsessed Smoker

Einstein loved to smoke. Nearly as part of his image as his wild hair and loose clothes was Einstein clutching his trusty briar pipe.

In 1950, Einstein said, "I believe that pipe smoking contributes to a somewhat calm and objective judgment in all human affairs."