[RELATIVITY THEORY IN TURKEY] Aynstayn [Einstein] nazarîyesi: Mekân, zaman ve kütle mefhûmlarinin tebdîli. Bes fasil, 12 sekil ilâvesiyle tevsi' edilmistir. [i.e. The relativity theory of Einstein and the change in the concepts of time, space and mass]

MEHMED REFIK [FENMEN], (1882-1951), Matbaa-i Âmire., Istanbul, [AH 1340] = 1924.

Original wrappers. Roy. 8vo. (24 x 17 cm). In Ottoman script (Old Turkish with Arabic script). 72 p., 18 numerous b/w ills. The rear cover is missing, slightly chipped on the extremities and water damage of the front cover, and hinges of the first several pages. Overall a good copy.

Enlarged second edition of this extremely rare first book on the relativity theory of Albert Einstein (1879-1955). This rare book is written by Fenmen to introduce Einstein's theory of relativity to the Turkish scientific world and it has also become popular with readers.

It's described on the cover to be added five chapters and more 12 illustrations to the first edition). And first edition is 40 pp. (See Özege 1406 / 1).

"Albert Einstein's theories of special relativity (1905) and general relativity (1916) generated worldwide interest during and after the 1920s. These theories drew the attention of Turkish scholars as well and the first publication on the subject was made by the Turkish electrical engineer Mehmed Refik Fenmen (1882-1951). Fenmen's booklet called Aynstayn Nazariyesi, Zaman, Mekan ve Kütle Mefhumlarinin Tebdili (The Theory of Einstein and the Change in the Concepts of Time, space and Mass) came out in 1922. An enlarged edition followed in 1924.". (Source: Akbas, Meltem: Introducing Einstein's Relativity to Turkey (I): Mehmet Refik Fenmen and Kerim Erim).

The interest in relativity theories in Turkey during the period 1920-1930 started based on the first publications issued by Mehmet Refik Fenmen (1882-1951) and Kerim Erim (1894-1952).

The electrical engineer Mehmed Refik Fenmen (1882-1951) witnessed both the last decades of the Ottoman Empire and the first decades of the newly established Turkish Republic. Born in an aristocratic family, he was educated in the leading private schools in Istanbul. He studied mathematics and physics at Lausanne University. Following his graduation, he attended L’Institut électrotechnique Montéfiore in Liège and obtained a diploma in electrical engineering in 1906. Back in Istanbul, he lectured in physics and electricity at the School of Engineering (Mühendis Mektebi; 1908-1913) and the University (Darülfünun; 1919-1925). He acted as director of the School of Engineering (1910 -1913) and the School of Mining Engineering (Zonguldak Maden Yüksek Mühendis Mektebi; 1925-1931). He undertook the management of the Industrial Zone of Istanbul and the Electrification Office of Turkey in the 1930s.

Fenmen was deeply interested in the electrification problems of Turkey in the 1920s and 1930s. He researched the energy supplies used in various countries for electrification. To deal with Turkey’s electrical energy problem, he examined the coalfields of Zonguldak and Sögütözü; the water powers and lignites of Thrace and Anatolia and he published his views about how to utilize these sources. Fenmen is a highly esteemed intellectual in the eyes of historians of science and engineering studying the first decades of the Turkish Republic. He was among the founders of "Osmanli Mühendis ve Mimar Cemiyeti" [i.e. The Ottoman Society for the Engineers and Architects], the first organization of engineers and architects in Turkey. He was one of the scholars who introduced Einstein’s relativity in Turkey. The number of his books on physics, engineering, and technical issues is over 30.

This book is scarce both in institutional holdings and market rarity, with no physical copy in OCLC: 984457076.; Özege 1406.