Textbooks of Physics usually approach the evolution of the wave theory of light, from the model of Christiaan Huygens, as a reconstruction a posteriori (whiggism).This happens to impose the current interpretation to concepts already enunciated in the XVII century. However, the original texts of Huygens unveil important differences with the recent conceptions of light and a considerable affinity with Mechanics rather than with Modern Optics or Electromagnetism. Since the textbooks often contain a crystallized historical view, this analysis suggests the use of primary sources in the teaching of sciences.
wave theory; optics; whiggism; Huygens
