“Nothing happens until somebody sells something” (or “Nothing happens until something is sold”) is an advertising slogan that has been used since the early 1940s. “Nothing happens until something moves” is the slogan of the Army Transportation Corps, centered at Fort Eustis in Newport News, VA. “Nothing happens until something moves” has been cited in print since at least 1974.
 
“Nothing happens until something moves” is sometimes credited to the physicist Albert Einstein (1879-1955). However, these citations began to appear in the 2000s and there is no evidence that Einstein said this.
   
 
Military.com Base Guide—Fort Eustis
“Nothing Happens Until Something Moves”
Fort Eustis, located in Newport News, has served a number of purposes, including an Army training facility for artillery and artillery observation, a prison for prohibition law offenders, and a work camp for the Works Progress Administration. Beginning in the World War II era, the primary mission of Fort Eustis has been Army transportation training, research and development, engineering, and operations, including aviation and marine shipping activities. The post is currently under the command of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command.
 
The base motto is “Nothing happens until something moves.”
   
Wikiquote: Talk:Albert Einstein
Nothing happens until something moves
I’m seeing a quote attributed to Einstein, “Nothing happens until something moves.” Alternately, “In life, ...” Should it be added to the dubious quotes section?—Suttkus (talk) 17:36, 25 January 2013 (UTC)
   
Google Books 
Defense Transportation Journal
Volumes 30-31  
1974
Pg. 3:
NOTHING HAPPENS UNTIL SOMETHING MOVES
BY CAPT. D. TIPA
Military transport problems have been in our history since revolutionary days, and have affected the course of warfare.
 
Google Books
Weekender’s Guide to the Four Seasons:
Sports and Recreation, Scenic, Historic and Cultural Places and Activities Within 200 Miles of Washington, Baltimore and Richmond
By Robert Shosteck
Washington, DC: Potomac Books, Incorporated, Publishers
1982
Pg. 78:
Within the gates of Fort Eustis is the fascinating U.S. Army Transportation Museum depicting the extensive history of military transportation. “Nothing happens until something moves” is a military slogan that unfolds here. Exhibits feature overland vehicles, helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and rail systems which the Army operated in Europe, North Africa and the Far East.
     
Google Books
West Point:
The United States Military Academy
By David Pahl
New York, NY: Exeter Books : Distributed by Bookthrift
1987
Pg. 23:
In the Army, as with any other organization, nothing happens unless something moves. The Transportation career specialty is the business of moving things and people.
 
Google Books
Great Aircraft Collections of the World
By Bob Ogden
New York, NY: Gallery Books
1988, ©1986
Pg. 191:
The slogan ‘Nothing Happens Until Something Moves’ is displayed prominently in this museum and is even printed on the brochure.
 
13 October 1991, Daily Press (Newport News, VA), “Letters to the Editor,” pg. H2:
As the commander of Fort Eustis has stated, “Nothing happens, until something moves.”
   
26 July 1992, Daily Press, “Transportation Corps: Key to Army Operations” by A. J. Plunkett and Mark Davidson, pg. B1:
The saying around the Army Transportation Corps is “nothing happens until something moves.” That puts the Transportation Corps, headquartered at Fort Eustis, ...
 
Google Books
The Quotable Einstein
Collected and edited by Alice Calaprice
Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press
2011
Pg. 482 (Attributed to Einstein):
Nothing happens unless something is moved.
 
OCLC WorldCat record
Nothing happens until something moves : the Army Transportation Corps’ history and museum.
Author: Donning Company Publishers.
Publisher: Virginia Beach, VA : Donning Company Publishers, ©2013.
Edition/Format: Book : English
Database: WorldCat
Summary: “This book not only documents the distinguished history of Army Transportation, but it also highlights the unique and diverse tools of the trade. These historical pieces are highlighted at the US Army Transportation Museum and this book provides a pictorial overview of the museum’s collection”-Provided by publisher.