Abstract
We revisit the development of the wave theory of light in the period following Fresnel's hypothesis that the luminiferous ether was similar in nature to an elastic solid. We have examined how, in such elastic theory of light, a legacy was produced wich is present, still today, in the body of classical electromagnetism, taking the laws of Fresnel as beacon. We also seek to indicate how the limitations of this approach contributed to create an environment conducive to the appropriation perpetrated by Maxwell in favor of an electromagnetic theory of light.
Keywords:
Elastic theory of light; luminiferous ether; Electromagnetic theory of light