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Today in History: Fresnel's Memoir Advances Wave Theory of Light

7/29/2025

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Summary

Story summary

On July 29, 1815, French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel submitted a groundbreaking memoir on the diffraction of light to the Royal Academy of Sciences. His work provided compelling evidence for the wave theory of light, challenging Newton's corpuscular theory and significantly advancing the field of optics, influencing scientific thought until the end of the 19th century.

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Story summary

On July 29, 1815, French physicist Augustin-Jean Fresnel submitted a groundbreaking memoir on the diffraction of light to the Royal Academy of Sciences. His work provided compelling evidence for the wave theory of light, challenging Newton's corpuscular theory and significantly advancing the field of optics, influencing scientific thought until the end of the 19th century.