The impact of special relativity on theoretical physics

A series of examples is presented in order to illustrate the historical impact of Einstein's theory of special relativity on the development of theoretical physics. The consequentiality of special relativity has its basis in two postulates: first, that there exists a triply-infinite set of equivalent Euclidian frames-of-reference, moving with constant velocities in rectilinear paths relative to one another, in which all physical phenomena occur in an identical manner; and secondly, that there exists in nature a limiting, invariant speed. Attention is given to the impact of these ideas on electronic and atomic physics, wave and particle phenomena theory, spin and Thomas precession, and the Dirac equation.