Prinzipielles zur allgemeinen Relativitatstheorie in Annalen der Physik, 55, 1918, pp. 241-245

Leipzig: Johann Ambrosius Barth, 1918. 1st Edition. FIRST EDITION OF EINSTEIN'S DISCUSSION OF MACH'S PRINCIPLE, a theory Einstein names and one which was historically important to the inspiration that would lead to general relativity. Mach's principle states that "local physical laws are determined by the large-scale structure of the universe" (Wikipedia). To Einstein, Mach's principle posited the belief that inertia originates in a kind of interaction between bodies.

"So strongly did Einstein believe at that time in the relativity of inertia that [in this paper] he stated [it] as being on equal footing three principles on which a satisfactory theory of gravitation should rest: (1.) The principle of relativity as expressed by general covariance. (2.) The principle of equivalence. (3.) Mach's principle (the first time this term entered the literature)" (Pais, The Science of Albert Einstein, 287).

Einstein brought Mach's principle into mainstream physics while working on general relativity. Indeed it was Einstein who first coined the phrase Mach's principle. Weil 96. Boni 100. Collected Papers 1918e.

ALSO IN THIS VOLUME, Max Born's Electron theory of natural optic rotation processes in isotropic and anisotropic liquids (pp. 177-240). CONDITION & DETAILS: Leipzig: Johann Ambrosius Barth. 8vo. (8 x 5 inches; 200mm x 125mm); Full volume with front original wrap of each issue (1-8) is bound in the rear. Handsomely rebound in three-quarter calf over marbled paper boards; four raised bands at the spine; gilt-lettered and tooled. Very tightly bound. Ex-libris with five numbers written in a light hand on the title page and a very occasional round stamp within. Very good condition.