Only People Over the Age of 50 Will Recognize These Historic Photos

Einstein’s tongue-out photo gave newspapers and magazines a rare image of genius behaving mischievously. Instead of the distant, serious scientist, readers saw humor and impatience with fame. Today, it is remembered because it makes intelligence feel human, playful, and slightly rebellious, turning a world-famous physicist into a personality.

Arthur Sasse took the photograph on March 14, 1951, Einstein’s 72nd birthday. Photographers had been asking him to smile after a celebration in Princeton. Tired of posing, Einstein stuck out his tongue. The cropped version became especially famous, though the original also showed the people seated beside him in the car.