Abstract

In the latter part of the 19th century, it was believed that light was a wave-type phenomenon, and that an invisible light-conducting medium was required through which the waves could propagate since by definition waves are cyclic deformations that propagate through light-conducting mediums, thus mandating the existence of such a medium. In 1905 Einstein published a paper entitled "On a Heuristic Point of View Concerning the Transformation of Light". In this paper he introduced the concept that rather than being a wave-type phenomenon, light actually consisted of particles, commonly referred to as "photons"; however, he did not give up the concept of wavelengths being associated with the photons. This hybrid definition of light, i.e., that it consists of particles with various wavelengths, has resulted in a confused understanding of light, permitting relativists to believe that a light-conducting aether was not required since light actually consisted of particles and hence waves were not required for their transmission. The purpose of this paper is to point out that light is a wave-type phenomenon in every respect, and that an aether is still a scientific requirement for its transmission.