In 1827, Robert Brown discovered a process in plants deriving a sophisticated random number generator. Aptly called Brownian motion, it describes the process through which small particles suspended in a fluid are in continuous movement. Prior to the turn of the 20th century, the discovery received close to no attention until Guoy continued the research and demonstrated that Brownian motion provides a simple explanation for the existence of molecules in a continual motion. With the exceptions of Guoy and Brown, all research in the area remained basic until 1905.

It was in 1905 that Einstein published his paper concerning Brownian motion, which promptly brought attention back to this realm of science. His work ascended expectations by finally stating the mathematical laws constituting the movements of particles on the basis of kinetic theory: specifically, the primary principles concerning the kinetic-molecular theory of heat. The theory states that small masses, such...