How Einstein's Brain was Different ?

We all know Albert Einstein as one of the greatest geniuses in human history.

A man whose mind could outperform a thousand scientists combined.

He explored concepts that most of us can barely comprehend, and made them understandable for the world.

Einstein revolutionized physics with his Theory of Special Relativity—yes, the famous equation E = mc².

He also formulated the photoelectric effect, a discovery that eventually earned him the Nobel Prize.

Because of his extraordinary intellect, many believed Einstein’s brain itself must be special—different from that of an ordinary human being.

And Einstein was well aware of this perception. In fact, before his death, he explicitly requested that his body not be used for scientific study.

He wished to be cremated, his remains left undisturbed.

But his wishes were ignored.

The Secret Autopsy

On April 13, 1955, Einstein passed away at Princeton Hospital.

During the autopsy, the attending pathologist, Dr. Thomas Harvey, made a shocking decision—he secretly stole Einstein’s brain.

Driven by curiosity, Harvey wanted to uncover the biological basis of Einstein’s brilliance.

But once the theft came to light, Princeton Hospital immediately fired him.

Still, Dr. Harvey was determined. He eventually convinced Einstein’s son, Hans Albert, to allow him to study the brain in the name of science.

And thus began a strange journey that would last decades.

The Hidden Brain

Dr. Harvey, who was trained only in post-mortem procedures—not neuroscience—transported the brain to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

There, he photographed it and sliced it into 240 small pieces.

Each piece was preserved in a separate jar, which he stored in his basement.

This obsession cost him dearly.

His wife was horrified by what he had done and often threatened to throw the brain away.

Their marriage soon ended in divorce.

With the brain in tow, Harvey relocated to Wichita, Kansas, where he worked as a medical supervisor.

In his spare time, he continued studying the brain, but progress was slow—and often fruitless.

Over the years, he lost jobs, moved from city to city, and even had his medical license revoked.

At one point, he was working in a plastic factory, still in possession of Einstein’s brain.

Eventually, Harvey realized he couldn't make progress alone.

So he mailed pieces of the brain to some of the world’s top neurologists for advanced research.

Scientific Breakthrough

Finally, in 1985—30 years after Einstein’s death—a study was published on his brain.

Over the next three decades, numerous scientific papers followed.

One of the key findings was that Einstein’s corpus callosum, the structure that connects the left and right hemispheres of the brain, was larger and more developed than in most people.

The human brain has two halves:

• The left hemisphere is responsible for logic, language, and math.
• The right hemisphere handles creativity, art, and music.

The corpus callosum is the bridge between them.

It allows for fast communication between both sides of the brain—critical when solving complex problems.

In Einstein’s case, this bridge was unusually thick and well-connected.

This could explain his exceptional ability to visualize and solve difficult scientific problems in his head.

Researchers also noted unique patterns in his brain that allowed for better neuron flow, aiding in mathematical reasoning.

Birth vs. Development

Another surprising fact?

Einstein’s brain weighed only 1,230 grams, which is actually less than the average human brain weight of 1,400 grams.

However, researchers believe the lining of his brain was thinner, allowing for a higher density of neurons.

But the question remained:

Was Einstein born with this extraordinary brain, or did it develop over time?

It turns out that as a child, Einstein showed no signs of genius.

He didn’t speak until age 5, and even then, he was quiet, often lost in thought.

He had a poor memory and struggled with simple tasks like memorizing multiplication tables.

But he had a deep love for math and logic.

At the age of 12, he found a geometry book at home—and read the entire thing in one day.

By the age of 14, he had mastered calculus.

His questions in class were so advanced that even professors found them difficult to answer.

From a young age, Einstein had one goal: to understand the laws of the universe.

At just 26 years old, he published four groundbreaking research papers in a single year—work that changed the face of modern science and earned him a PhD and a Nobel Prize.

Where Is Einstein’s Brain Today?

After decades of scientific exploration and ethical debate, Einstein’s brain now rests at The Mütter Museum in the United States.

Carefully preserved on microscopic slides, it remains a symbol of one of the greatest minds in human history.

What made Einstein different wasn’t just biology—it was curiosity, persistence, and a relentless desire to understand the unknown.