Maxwell's theory of relativity

Was he likely to head in that direction? I mean, he had electromagnetics very well characterized and had the kinetic theory of gases, both used as foundations to Einstein's Relativity, but IIRC Einstein's GToR came as much from a sudden insight of the type rather peculiar to him. GToR also developed following years of futile pursuits of aether theory,

It's IMO far from guaranteed that Max will go in that direction rather than go off into a completely different direction, such as proving the existence of his "lumiferous aether".

Though if anyone might have such an insight it would be him.
 

Philip

Donor
but IIRC Einstein's GToR came as much from a sudden insight of the type rather peculiar to him. GToR also developed following years of futile pursuits of aether theory,

Maxwell really has no shot at General Relativity. He does have an outside shot at Special Relativity.

It's IMO far from guaranteed that Max will go in that direction rather than go off into a completely different direction, such as proving the existence of his "lumiferous aether".

I could see him producing Lorentz's work a decade or two early. Assuming Michelson-Morley happens per OTL (perhaps by Maxwell), the jump to special relativity is not too big (at least mathematically).
 
Maxwell really has no shot at General Relativity. He does have an outside shot at Special Relativity.

I could see him producing Lorentz's work a decade or two early. Assuming Michelson-Morley happens per OTL (perhaps by Maxwell), the jump to special relativity is not too big (at least mathematically).

Seems entirely possible.

I just keep thinking a man of his creativity of thought would pursue something we mere mortals would never even consider...something so totally revolutionary it would blow our feeble minds!

Like if he'd pursue something really wacky, like the Magnetic Monopole! :D

Imagine where THAT research would lead in the absence of Plank's quantum theory, if you dare.
 
After the Michelson-Morley experiment it's really only a matter of time before you get special relativity. For all the revolutionary character of Einstein's work in 1905, most of what he did was figure out what other people's work really meant. And I think Maxwell had the genius to do the same thing. Move the experiment back a decade or more and Maxwell will have the motivation and the time to look closely at the ether conundrum.
 
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