Einstein’s Two Childhood Inspirations -A Compass and His “Holy Geometry Book”

Einstein would write in his memoirs that two "wonders" deeply affected his early years. Young Einstein encountered his first wonder — a compass — at age 5. He was mystified that invisible forces could deflect the needle. This would lead to a lifelong fascination with unseen forces. The second wonder came at age 12 when he discovered a book of geometry, which he worshipped, calling it his "holy geometry book."