ART. 154 - The History of the Doctrine of Radiant Energy

Summary

In his interesting Address to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Prof. Langley sketches the development of the modern doctrine of Radiant Energy, and deduces important lessons to be laid to heart by all concerned in physical investigation. This is a most useful undertaking; but in the course of it there occur one or two statements which, in the interest of scientific history, ought not to be allowed to pass without a protest.

After quoting Melloni's very unequivocal conclusion of 1843, that “Light is merely a series of calorific indications sensible to the organs of sight; or, vice versâ, the radiations of obscure heat are veritable invisible radiations of light,” Prof. Langley goes on to say, “So far as I know, no physicist of eminence reasserted Melloni's principle with equal emphasis till J. W. Draper, in 1872. Only sixteen years ago, or in 1872, it was almost universally believed that there were three different entities in the spectrum, represented by actinic, luminous, and thermal rays.”

These words struck me strangely as I first read them. My own scientific ideas were formed between 1860 and 1866, and I certainly never believed in the three entities. Having on a former occasion referred to this question as an illustration of the difference of opinion which is sometimes to be found between the theoretical and experimental schools of workers, I was sufficiently interested in the matter to look up a few references, with results which are, I think, difficult to reconcile with Prof. Langley's view.