Stephen Hawking
a brief history of time

He was hailed as the modern Einstein, the rock-star of physics, published a best-seller that nobody finishes reading, promoted theoretical physics and cosmology to the general public, and a master of time and universe.

But what exactly is Stephen Hawking's legacy, as a physicist?

His two main contributions are:

• Hawking Radiation, that a black hole will, eventually, evaporate in a puff.
• Hawking's Paradox, what will happen to all the stuff inside black hole if it evaporates?

Both are related to his work, on the "Theory of Everything".

Such a theory attempts to unify the two pillars of modern physics:

1. Relativity, for the study of stars, galaxies, and universe.
2. Quantum Theory, for the study of molecules, atoms, nuclei, and elementary particles.

A theory of "everything" is the ultimate quest of any theoretical physicist. That is tough, both in concept and in math.

Einstein was a co-founder of quantum theory, but he hated it when he found out quantum theory deals with probabilities.
Einstein's relativity theories, both special and general, are free of chances. He famously declared, "God does not play dice."

Einstein spent the rest of his research effort to extend relativity to include quantum theory, but failed.
Other theorists took up the challenge. There are many theories, but none stabs general relativity as hard as Hawking's.

The modern world is built upon modern physics:

1. The GPS system of your smartphone takes into account time changes by general relativity.
2. Every component of your smartphone is a product of research in quantum mechanics.

"He once said, 'It would not be much of a universe if it wasn't home to the people you love.' We will miss him forever." -- Hawking's children.