Einstein's theory of relativity did introduce a fundamental change in our understanding of space and time, including the concept of a universal speed limit. According to his theory, the speed of light in a vacuum, denoted as "c," is constant and serves as an absolute speed limit in the universe. This means that no information, energy, or matter can travel faster than the speed of light.
Before Einstein's theory, classical physics, based on Newtonian mechanics, did not propose a fundamental speed limit. Instead, it assumed that velocities could be arbitrarily large. However, Einstein's theory of special relativity, published in 1905, showed that the speed of light is constant for all observers, regardless of their relative motion. This discovery led to a revision of our understanding of space, time, and the behavior of objects at high speeds.
It's important to note that the concept of a speed limit in the universe applies specifically to objects with mass. Particles without mass, such as photons (particles of light), always travel at the speed of light. Objects with mass, like spacecraft or people, cannot reach or exceed the speed of light.
Einstein's theory of relativity revolutionized our understanding of the physical world and has been extensively tested and confirmed by experiments and observations. It remains a cornerstone of modern physics.