1818
Fresenel's Wave Theory of Light1820
Discovery of Poisson's "Bright Spot": Decisive Support for the Wave Theory?
1873
Maxwell's Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism1878-80
Maxwell's Suggestion that the Absolute Velocity of the Earth in the Aether Might be Detectable by Optical Means
1881
Michelson's First Interferometer Experiment: The Null Result?Lorentz Notes that Michelson's Calculation are in Error, This Error Resulted in a Doubling of the Expected Fringe Shifts
1882
Michelson Acknowledges His Interpretation Unwarranted
1887
Michelson & Morley Experiment: Null Result?
1887-88
Heinrich Hertz Verifies the Existence of EM Waves
1889
G. F. FitzGerald: Contraction Hypothesis
1895
Hendrik Antoon Lorentz: Contraction HypothesisSuggested Independently of FitzGerald and More Fully Developed
1905
Miller & Morley's Experiments:Test of the Contraction Hypothesis: Negative Results
Test for Aether Dragging Effects: Null Result
Einstein's STR
1919
Eddington's Eclipse Expedition: Confirmation of GTR
1921
Miller Continues His Aether Drift Expts. at Mt. WilsonHe Claims to Have Obtained Positive Results?
He Performs Tests with Insulated & Non-Magnetic Interferometers
1921-24
Miller: Extensive Tests Under Controled Conditions at Case
1924
Miller's Mt. Wilson Tests Again Yield a Positive Result
1925
Michelson & Gale (Pearson) Experiment: Null ResultAttempt to Detect the Effect of Earth's Rotation on the Velocity of Light
Null Result Predicted by Both Relativity & Aether Theory
April Meeting of the National Academy of Sciences
Arthur H. Compton: Stokes Aether Drag Laid to Rest!!
Miller Presents His "Positive" Results (Aether Drag)
American Assoc. for the Advancement of Science 12/25
Miller's Two Theories to Account for the Postive Result
1. Modified Aether Theory
Potential Objections
# Explanation for Stellar Aberration?
# Aether Drag Does Not Vary Greatly with Elevation
2. Slight Departure from the Contraction Hypothesis
Potential Objection
# Lorentz Equations in Perfect Accord with Relativity
1926
Roy J. Kennedy: Null ResultMuch Higher Sensitivity (Effects 1/4 Those of Miller)
Auguste Piccard & Ernest Stahel at Mont Rigi: Null Result
1927
K. K. Illingworth: Null ResultEffects Detectable 1/10 Those of Miller
Mount Wilson Conference
Miller Seemingly Committed to Partial Entrainment
# Michelson: Why is the Aether Dragged Along to the Extent of 19/20 and Not Some Other Fraction?
# Michelson: What of Differential Efects With Respect to Altittude?
1929
Michelson, Pease, Pearson: Null ResultEffects Detectable 1/50 Those of Miller
1930
Von Georg Joos: Null Result
1934
Joos on the Michelson-Gale Results# Improbable that Aether Entrained by Translational Motion & Not by Rotational Motion
1955
Shankland, McCuskey, Leone, & Kuerti New Analysis# Miller's Positive Results Caused by Statistical Fluctuations in the Readings and Systamatic Temperature Disturbances