[alphaBetaGamma]

Einstein, Albert. "On the electrodynamics of moving bodies." Annalen der Physik 17.891 (1905): 50.

http://ganapathymani.com/On%20the%20electrodymics%20of%20mov...

This paper establishes special relativity, and is remarquable for how clear it is, revolutionizing physics while using only elementary math. The first "Kinematical" part in particular does not use anything more complex mathematically than Pythagorus theorem. It is so clear that the explanations and though experiments are reproduced in all textbooks to this day; the only change is that textbooks include diagrams.

[sytelus]

I've attempted reading this paper about half dozen time and no, it's far from "clear". The language and description of the paper requires a LOT of context and understanding of 1900s state of world. There are quite a few "companians" that can help. Here's snippet from [1]:

Modern readers turning to Einstein’s famous 1905 paper on special relativity may not find what they expect. Its title, “On the electrodynamics of moving bodies,” gives no inkling that it will develop an account of space and time that will topple Newton’s system. Even its first paragraph just calls to mind an elementary experimental result due to Faraday concerning the interaction of a magnet and conductor.

[1] http://www.pitt.edu/~jdnorton/papers/companion.pdf