Mommichen, my mother, in her "Einstein Years" at Princeton

Mommichen, my mother, in her “Einstein Years” at Princeton

In 1934, my father won a teaching job at Princeton University in the Physics Department where the world-famous physicist, Albert Einstein, was a luminary. Born in Berlin, Mommichen spoke elegant German, of course, and my father had learned the language studying physics in Berlin and courting his future wife. He also spoke Physics. At Princeton, the handsome young couple was a natural fit at social gatherings at which the Einsteins were present; Sort of a buffer. Mommichen acted as a translator for Mrs. Einstein. My father shared both a language and a passion for physics with Dr. Einstein

Mommichen was, of course, a unique observer. Like Mrs. Einstein, she was new to the United States, new to Princeton, and new to the faculty of the highly esteemed Physics Department. Social life was all about who’s husband had tenure and authority within the tight-knit group and who could throw the most elaborate dinner party. Mommichen was also young and inexperienced in the politics of the socially competitive professor’s wives for whom, she reported, one-ups-man-ship was a serious sport. 

The orchid corsage:

Early on, there were numerous dinner parties to celebrate the Einsteins. One memorable occasion was an extremely formal dinner party for twelve with all the crystal and silverware of a prominent senior faculty member. Waitresses were hired for the occasion. The dress code was formal wear. As an elegant gesture to elevate the dinner even further, the hostess had arranged for a pink orchid corsage or boutonniere to be presented on a plate in front of each guest. But the florist was late in delivering, driving the hostess wild. Just as the guests were seated, the orchids arrived. The waitresses quickly placed them on plates and delivered them smoothly to all guests. The hostess sighed in relief. 

It should be noted that Mrs. Einstein had learned that at any meal she was the guest of honor and that everyone would await her picking up her silverware and starting to eat before they would start each new course. With a little sigh, she chose a small knife and fork from the frightening display of silver, and began taking delicate bites of the fleshy parts of the orchid. All other guests picked up the same silverware and ate an orchid for the very first time.

The piano:

Mommichen’s father, Georg Hoffmann, was the owner of a large and highly esteemed piano factory in central Berlin and was clearly a wealthy man. His wedding gift to Mommichen, when she went to the United States to marry my father, was a Hoffmann grand piano. Once my father had secured the position at Princeton and they had rented the upstairs of a cute little home in a residential neighborhood near the university, they released the piano from storage. It had to be delivered, using a crane to loft it, through the double windows into their apartment. This made quite a stir in the Physics Department. The beautiful, young German girl with gorgeous red hair was clearly part of the German aristocracy, they whispered. Also, Dr. Robert Bowling Barnes was already the author, in conjunction with his mentor at the University of Berlin, of eleven technical papers on the brand-new field of infrared physics. My parents were invited to even more parties.

The hot roll:

Another memorable Physics Department dinner party was distinguished by, and will always be remembered for, the hot dinner rolls, right out of the oven. These were artfully wrapped in the intricate folds of a linen napkin and placed on a plate at each guest’s place; piping hot. The hostess was very proud of this clever innovation. This time Albert Einstein was the focal point of the story. As the guests sat down, he grasped his napkin by a corner and gave it a hearty shake to unfold it. Everyone watched in surprise and horror as the hot roll bounded down the full length of the table, cleverly missing stemware, candle sticks, flower arrangements, and two steaming gravy boats and ending up in the lap of his host at the far end.

Read another Einstein Years story (The Sugar Cube) here…