Optics Timeline

Optics is the science of physics, the origin and Propagation of light, as does the impact it produces and other will also study related phenomena. There are two branches of optics. Physical optics deals with the nature and properties of light Geometric optics itself deals with the principles governing the Image-forming properties of lenses, mirrors and other devices, such as optical data processors.

This "Timeline in Optics" highlights important events and developments in the Science of optics from prehistory to the beginning of the 21st century. It also includes similar developments in other areas (such as the development of computers) and related milestones in the human world view.

Prehistory to 999 - Thousands of years after people with Fire began to light up the night, Greek and Arab scholars Begin to formulate theories of how light is transmitted, how it reflected and can be broken, and how it is perceived by the eye is.

1000-1599 - Arab and Chinese scientists experiment with light, lenses and mirrors for several hundred years, but Languishes. In medieval Europe starts Copernicus the scientific revolution with his shocking theory that the earth revolves around the sun.

1600-1699 - Microscopes and telescopes extend the world view of the early scientists and the scientific revolution culminated with the Publication of Isaac Newton's Principia.

1700-1799 - Newton published Opticks, discuss the corpuscular theory of light, scientists establish procedures for the scientific method, Herschel discovered Uranus, and few scientists Begin to study electricity.

1834-1866 - Photography experiencing significant developments, the speed of light is measured for the first time exactly, the new Field of spectroscopy is introduced and Maxwell developed the theory that light is an electromagnetic wave.

1867-1899 - Hertz proves that light is a electromagnetic wave Michelson and Morley show that there is no ether Space pervades, Tesla and Marconi invented radio and Eastman photographic Invents movies.

1900-1933 - Planck and Einstein revolutionized physics and Physicists now light as a wave of both a particle. In addition, Radio Communications is a popular broadcast medium of television is invented, and Tombaugh discovered Pluto.

1934-1966 - Built the first electron, television is becoming increasingly popular as a radio and a host of new technologies introduced, including laser, holography, fiber optics and computers. Space exploration begins.

1967-2003 - Video games are invented, people visit the moon, robots to visit Mars and start the personal computer digital Revolution. Laser and fiber optics to create new media for communication, Information storage and entertainment. Cyberspace is a reality with the Creation of the Internet and World Wide Web.