Einstein’s Witches’ Sabbath and the Early Solvay Councils

BEFORE WORLD WAR II there were no regular international physics conferences,
with the notable exception of seven « SOLVAY COUNCILS ». The first Council in
1911 was the result of a miraculous chain of events. Impressed by Einstein’s
specific heat paper, Nernst wanted its quantum basis to be discussed by
international experts. By a series of coincidences the planned « summit » was
convened by Solvay, the Belgian industrialist and Maecenas. Thanks to chairman
Lorentz, the meeting was so successful that to this day similar Councils have
been convened by the International Physics Institute, founded by Solvay and
supported by his family. Lorentz chaired five Councils that testify to the
transition from classical to modern physics. The first stimulated the
physicists’ interest in the quantum problem. The fifth, in 1927, solved the
problem by marking, according to Heisenberg, the completion of Quantum
Mechanics. The book focuses on the personal relations between the physicists
who actively participated in the quantum revolution. These relations came
under great strain during the Great War, but the Councils survived thanks to
Lorentz’s and Solvay’s faith in the universality of science.