Ulm and Munich, Germany

Einstein was born in Ulm and grew up in Munich. His father moved the family to Munich shortly after his son's birth: he wanted him to have the best education possible. At age 10, Einstein entered Munich's Luitpold Gymnasium.

Swiss Federal Polytechnic School (Zurich, Switzerland)

Einstein flunked all but the math portion of his entrance exams, studied for a year at another school, retook the exams and passed. He and Mileva studied together. He graduated in 1900 and was invited back as full professor in 1912.

State Patent Office (Berne, Switzerland)

When working here in 1905, Einstein published the theoretical papers that changed physics. It was after their publication that he received a series of academic invitations and honors.

University of Zurich, University of Prague (Switzerland and the current Czech Republic)

Einstein's first two academic appointments were here. In 1909, he was appointed lecturer and rose to the rank...