Optical Anecdotes (SPIE Press Monograph Vol. PM141)

This new printing of D.J. Lovell's popular 1981 text is a collection of stories about the attempts since the beginnings of history to answer the question: What is light? Lovell's introduction sets the stage: "The history of man's investigations of the nature of light is fascinating. It encompasses a large cast of characters who interact with all facets of the history of mankind. The anecdotes presented here describe a few of the events that took place in man's search for the nature of light -- a search which included drama, adventure, humor, political and religious entanglements, pestilence, and the many foibles of men." The resulting compilation is sure to motivate readers in their own explorations of this age-old question.