 |
 |
SYMPOSIUM: The lure of the ether<http://www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/whats-on/upcoming-events/calendar/2014/symposium-the-lure-of-the-ether> 21 February 2014 10:00am - 4:30pm History Faculty University of Oxford George Street, Oxford Speakers : Imogen Clarke, 'The ether at the crossroads of classical and modern physics' Jaume Navarro, 'Ether and wireless: an old medium into new media' Richard Noakes, 'The ethereal in scientific cultures, 1880-1930' Richard Staley, 'Einstein's ether' Michael Whitworth, 'Ether and its Metaphors' 'All that is solid melts into air' ... In scientific theory and popular imagination, it was proposed up to the 19th century that electromagnetic waves must move, like the waves of an ocean, through an all-pervading medium. The ether was the material substance which was thought to be constantly vibrating with the force of many electromagnetic waves. But experiments and Einstein's theory of relativity challenged the very existence of this supposed substance, just at the time when radio was promoting the importance of the ether as the medium through which nation would speak to nation. What were the ripples, throughout cultural and intellectual life, of the demise of the ether? This event is free but booking is essential. Email [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>, with subject line: ETHER Dr Alexandra Franklin Co-ordinator, Centre for the Study of the Book Department of Special Collections and Western Manuscripts Bodleian Library Oxford OX1 3BG Tel.: +44 (0) 1865 277006 e-mail: [log in to unmask]