In 1939 the architect Konrad Wachsmann, who had entered France illegally, sent a letter to Albert Einstein with a request for help. Wachsmann had made Einstein’s acquaintance in 1929 and had built a summerhouse for him in Caputh near Berlin.

Neither Wachsmann nor his fiancée Anna could find work in France. The architect described the difficulties that emigrants encountered in the French labour market in his biography Wachsmannreport:

“The craftsmen in the area, whose own livelihoods were threatened, were jealous and made sure that no foreigners entered their terrain. They threated to notify the police if they found someone doing repairs without a work permit.” (ed. trans.)

Thus Wachsmann lived at first from charity and odd jobs. After receiving the letter, Einstein immediately began making arrangements to help Wachsmann. He supported him with a monthly amount of money and sent him this letter of recommendation on 2 October 1939 to use in the French labour market. In this letter he praises Wachsmann’s special skills in building in wood, which he had demonstrated in the construction of the house in Caputh.

In the end his expertise in building in wood secured him a livelihood. He designed rabbit hutches that he sold to rabbit breeders in the region. In return he received fresh food.