SAEDNEWS: Long Before It Was Known That Birds Can Perceive the Planet’s Magnetic Field, a Letter Suggested the Possibility of Animals With Extraordinary Senses
According to the Saed News University Service, the letter shown in the image was written by Albert Einstein on 18 October 1949 to Mr. Glyn Davys, a British radar engineer. The letter was written in response to Davys’ questions about the relationship between physics and biology, in which Einstein discusses the senses of animals.
Reference to von Frisch’s research:
In his letter, Einstein refers to Karl von Frisch’s studies on bee behavior and polarized light patterns, but notes that these findings cannot be directly used to investigate the foundations of physics.
Prediction about migratory birds:
In another part of the letter, Einstein suggests that studying the behavior of migratory birds and carrier pigeons might one day lead to the discovery of an unknown physical process.
Significance of the letter:
The letter has gained importance because of Einstein’s prediction about animals’ ability to perceive magnetic fields—decades before this phenomenon was scientifically discovered.
Fate of the letter:
In 2011, the letter was donated by Judith Davys, the widow of Glyn Davys, to the archives of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where Einstein had bequeathed his works.
