Full Idea
Einstein's interpretation of special relativity was operationalist in spirit (in marked contrast to the interpretation he gave to general relativity).
Clarification
Operationalism only concerns what works, not what is true
Gist of Idea
Special relativity, unlike general relativity, was operationalist in spirit
Source
comment on Albert Einstein (works [1915]) by Hilary Putnam - Reason, Truth and History Ch.5
Book Reference
Putnam,Hilary: 'Reason, Truth and History' [CUP 1998], p.124
A Reaction
The late twentieth century was polluted with daft relativism, and I hold Einstein partly responsible, suspecting that he was a bad philosopher. The later development of Einstein's view noted here is interesting.