A History of Science — Volume 3Williams, Henry Smith
History
A History of Science — Volume 3
Williams, Henry Smith
Science -- History
About the middle of the century Clerk-Maxwell advanced the idea that
light waves were really electro-magnetic waves. If this were true and
light proved to be simply one form of electrical energy, then the same
would be true of radiant heat. Maxwell advanced this theory, but failed
to substantiate it by experimental confirmation. But Dr. Heinrich
Hertz, a few years later, by a series of experiments, demonstrated the
correctness of Maxwell's surmises. What are now called "Hertzian waves"
are waves apparently identical with light waves, but of much lower
pitch or period. In his experiments Hertz showed that, under proper
conditions, electric sparks between polished balls were attended by
ether waves of the same nature as those of light, but of a pitch of
several millions of vibrations per second. These waves could be dealt
with as if they were light waves--reflected, refracted, and polarized.
These are the waves that are utilized in wireless telegraphy.
ROENTGEN RAYS, OR X-RAYS
In December of 1895 word came out of Germany of a scientific discovery
that startled the world. It came first as a rumor, little credited; then
as a pronounced report; at last as a demonstration. It told of a new
manifestation of energy, in virtue of which the interior of opaque
objects is made visible to human eyes. One had only to look into a tube
containing a screen of a certain composition, and directed towards
a peculiar electrical apparatus, to acquire clairvoyant vision more
wonderful than the discredited second-sight of the medium. Coins within
a purse, nails driven into wood, spectacles within a leather case,
became clearly visible when subjected to the influence of this magic
tube; and when a human hand was held before the tube, its bones stood
revealed in weird simplicity, as if the living, palpitating flesh about
them were but the shadowy substance of a ghost.
Not only could the human eye see these astounding revelations, but the
impartial evidence of inanimate chemicals could be brought forward to
prove that the mind harbored no illusion. The photographic film recorded
the things that the eye might see, and ghostly pictures galore soon gave
a quietus to the doubts of the most sceptical. Within a month of the
announcement of Professor Roentgen's experiments comment upon the
"X-ray" and the "new photography" had become a part of the current
gossip of all Christendom.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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