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This article reviews Albert Einstein's first published paper, submitted for publication in 1900. At that time, Einstein was 21 and a recent college graduate. His paper uses modeling and least squares to analyze data in support of a scientific proposition. Einstein is shown to be well trained, for his day, in using statistics as a tool in his scientific research. This paper also shows his ability to make trivial arithmetic mistakes and some clumsiness in data recording. A major aim of this article is to help provide a better appreciation of Einstein as an active user of statistical arguments in this and other of his important publications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recalls statistical research papers previously published in the United States. Survey research; Sampling; Technical problems of statisticians at the U.S. Census Bureau.