Explore the fascinating world of black hole research in this 35-minute lecture by Harvard University Professor of Physics Andrew Strominger. Delve into the deep theoretical puzzles that have driven scientific inquiry and discover recent breakthroughs in understanding these enigmatic cosmic phenomena. Learn about Einstein's contributions, the spacetime continuum, general relativity, and quantum field theory. Examine concepts such as escape velocity, the "no-hair" theorem, and Hawking's temperature formula. Investigate the black hole paradox, string theory, and the equivalence principle. Gain insights into the complex interplay between physics theories and the ongoing quest to solve the mysteries surrounding black holes.