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Andrew Crommelin and Charles Davidson took the photograph that proved Einstein right about the universe in 1919. So why does history only remember Arthur Eddington's name?
Digital Camera World • • science
Key Points:
- In May 1919, the famous experiment confirming Einstein's general theory of relativity was based on photographs of a solar eclipse, but the key image that proved the theory was not taken by Sir Arthur Eddington, who led the expedition.
- Eddington faced poor weather conditions on Príncipe island, producing only two usable photographic plates with a less precise measurement of starlight deflection.
- The decisive photograph came from a backup telescope used by Andrew Crommelin and Charles Davidson in Sobral, Brazil, yielding a sharper image and more accurate data supporting Einstein's predictions.
- Despite the crucial contribution of Crommelin and Davidson, the experiment became known as "The Eddington experiment" because Eddington organized the project, presented the results, and popularized the findings.
- The story highlights how credit often goes to the figurehead or organizer rather than those who capture the critical evidence, drawing parallels to common issues in photography and collaborative work.
