Einstein and Gödel were two of the most brilliant minds of the 20th century, who made groundbreaking contributions to physics and mathematics, respectively. They also shared a deep friendship that lasted for more than a decade, until Einstein’s death in 1955. They met in 1933, when Gödel joined the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, where Einstein was already a faculty member. They both had fled from Nazi Germany and found refuge in the United States. They also had a common interest in the foundations of science and the philosophy of logic. They often walked together from the Institute to their homes, discussing various topics ranging from relativity to the nature of time. Einstein once said that he went to the Institute mainly to have the privilege of walking home with Gödel. Gödel admired Einstein’s genius and personality, and considered him as his "only real friend" in America. Einstein, in turn, respected Gödel’s intellect and originality, and supported him in his academic and personal struggles. One of the most remarkable outcomes of their friendship was Gödel’s discovery of a solution to Einstein’s field equations that described a rotating universe, in which time travel was possible. Gödel presented this solution to Einstein as a birthday gift in 1949, and later published it in a paper. Their friendship was a rare example of intellectual and emotional affinity between two great thinkers, who enriched each other’s lives and challenged each other’s views. They remained close until the end, and their legacy continues to inspire and fascinate generations of scientists and philosophers. 📷IAS