Introduction
The content covered (from the Standard Model to M-Theory) has a rich history. Explore the evolution of physics and string theory from the beginning of the twentieth century in this interactive timeline.
Timeline
1900: Max Planck initiates quantum theory with his belief that energy is quantized.
1905: Albert Einstein develops the photoelectric effect, which earns him the 1921 Nobel Prize in Physics for his theoretical work.
1913: Niels Bohr demonstrates the spectral lines of a hydrogen atom and uses quantization, much like Planck in 1900.
1919: Kulistla states that electromagnetism might involve ripples.
1921: The Klauza-Klein theory is proposed separately by Kaluza and Klein. The theory postulates that the existence of a fourth dimension would allow for a unification theory that would accept both electromagnetism and gravity.
1924: Louis de Broglie introduces the theory of matter waves.
1927: The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle is developed and states that both a particle’s position and momentum can be known at a given moment.
1970: This date marks the official beginning of string theory when three physicists separately develop the concept of vibrating strings.
1971: The field of supersymmetry is introduced. Supersymmetry soon will become an integral part of string theory due to its ability to involve the symmetry between fermions and bosons.
1974: With the introduction of gravitons, string theory becomes noted for its ability to unify all four forces of nature.
1976: Cosmic string theory is introduced.
1976: The development of supersymmetry in 1971 allows for the advent of supergravity, which combines supersymmetry with gravity.
1980: Superstrings are formed! Supersymmetry combined with string theory sees these novel structures formed.
1984: String Theory becomes free from anomalies and is finally noticed by the scientific world.
1991-1995: Various versions of string theory are understood based on duality transformations.
1996: String theory is used to explain the beginnings of the thermodynamics of black holes.
