Einstein developed space-time concept as part of his theory of relativity. Prior to Einstein, scientists had separate theories for Newton and Maxwell. Poincaré suggested light's speed might be limit in 1898. Einstein's 1905 special relativity theory confirmed light's constant speed
World line is the path of an object in 4-dimensional spacetime. World lines include time dimension unlike orbits or trajectories. Concept originated by Hermann Minkowski
Einstein published four groundbreaking papers in 1905, establishing modern physics. Special relativity overturned Newton's notion of absolute time and space. Einstein's theory predicted time dilation and length contraction
Space can be described in 2D (x,y) or 3D (xyz) coordinates. The fourth dimension (xyzw) requires four numbers, with w-axis at right angle. A hypercube is analogous to a cube in 3D, created by connecting identical cubes
Space was viewed as flat, three-dimensional continuum with Euclidean postulates. Time was independent, one-dimensional continuum with absolute simultaneity. All inertial frames followed same physical laws
Scientific theories describe structures in observable information. Science systematically collects and analyzes observable data. Theories must fit with observed data to be valid