“I therefore propose that it be called a Stereoscope”,“to indicate its property of representing solid figures.”(Professor Charles Wheatstone in 1838) |
“I therefore propose that it be called a Stereoscope”,“to indicate its property of representing solid figures.”(Professor Charles Wheatstone in 1838) |
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Are these the first 3-dimensional images on earth? Or will some cave one day reveal some wall paintings in pairs? Stereoscopy began not as a novelty in its own right, but simply by the creation of tools to study the physiology of vision. Charles Wheatstone’s classic paper is astonishing in its clarity and comprehensiveness. Even the language and spelling are modern - give or take a “pannel”. Without modern knowledge of colour theory, he expects blue and yellow to mix into green - as with paint - instead of white. He also uses the word “spectrum” for the afterglow image caused by staring at a bright object. Beyond pointing out these quaintnesses, I can think of nothing to add. This classic paper is just too perfect. |