WHATEVER its future, relativity-theory is rightly regarded as one of the greatest intellectual endeavours of man. Yet, sufficient research has not been made into its origins. So far as we are aware, it has not even been established as to who used and discussed the phrase' The principle of Relativity' first in the sense in which we understand it in physics today, meaning that only the relative motion of a body is physically ascertainable, and when.** In talking of the origins, we mean the special theory. In recent years the question of origins has received attention, particularly as a result of a provocative investigation by Whittaker1. After examining

Whittaker's research, we can conclude that the special theory of relativity was developed in the early 19th century, and that its origins are not clear.

Paper

ORIGIN AND CONCEPT OF RELATIVITY (III)*

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