Without the modern mass press Einstein would never have become so famous after the verification of the theory of relativity in 1919. The number of newspapers rises sharply to more than 4,000 daily and weekly papers with a total circulation of 25 million towards the end of the Weimar Republic.

The lively press landscape reflects the political struggles in the country’s public sphere, with many newspapers closely aligned to political parties or financially dependent. A few large publishing companies dominate the opinion market.

Thousands of articles and other items appear within a brief period, from popular introductions to Einstein’s theory to satires and even a Waltz According to the Principles of the Theory of Relativity.