This episode explores the life and legacy of Max Planck, the German physicist whose discovery of quantum theory transformed science forever. Born in 1858, Planck initially believed that physics had nearly reached completion, but his work on blackbody radiation revealed a paradox that classical physics couldn’t explain. In 1900, he proposed that energy is emitted in tiny, discrete packets—later called quanta—each proportional to its frequency, introducing Planck’s constant.

This revolutionary idea resolved the “ultraviolet catastrophe” and laid the foundation for quantum mechanics, influencing future giants like Einstein, Bohr, and Heisenberg. Planck’s insight revealed that the microscopic world obeys laws far different from everyday experience, giving rise to technologies such as semiconductors, lasers, and quantum computing.

Beyond science, Planck embodied integrity and perseverance. During the Nazi era, he defended persecuted scientists and endured deep personal loss, including the execution of his son. Despite tragedy, he remained devoted to truth and the advancement of knowledge.

Max Planck’s equation and his constant forever changed physics, bridging classical and modern science. His quantum leap into the unknown opened the door to understanding the universe on its smallest scales—an achievement that continues to shape the modern world.