The Helmholtz Curves: Tracing Lost Time

Online ISBN:
9780823266463
Print ISBN:
9780823261949
Publisher:
Fordham University Press
Book

The Helmholtz Curves: Tracing Lost Time

Henning Schmidgen

Professor of Media Studies

Bauhaus University
Find on
Published:
15 September 2014
Online ISBN:
9780823266463
Print ISBN:
9780823261949
Publisher:
Fordham University Press

Abstract

This book reconstructs the emergence of the phenomenon of “lost time,” i.e. the interval between stimulus and response, with respect to the German physiologist Hermann von Helmholtz (1821-1894) and the French writer Marcel Proust (1871-1922). It argues that the discovery and explanation of this phenomenon was closely tied to the functioning of laboratory technologies. In the winter of 1849/50, Helmholtz conducted pioneering measurements concerning the propagation speed of stimulations in the living nerve in Königsberg by using electromagnetic devices and graphical instruments. When presenting his findings in the Parisian Academy of Science, he coined the term “lost time” in order to illustrate the delays accompanying the functioning of nerves. In the 1910s, Proust adopted the same expression from the popular writings of the French physiologist Etienne-Jules Marey.

Contents
Close
This Feature Is Available To Subscribers Only

Sign In or Create an Account

Close

This PDF is available to Subscribers Only

View Article Abstract & Purchase Options

For full access to this pdf, sign in to an existing account, or purchase an annual subscription.

Close

Gift article access

As a benefit of your subscription, you can share temporary access to restricted articles.

Each link will stop working after 30 days or 10 uses. You may create up to 10 links in a 30 day period.

Please sign in to your personal account to gift article access.

Gift article access

Please create a link below to share with others. This will provide temporary access to this restricted article.

The link will stop working after 30 days or 10 uses. You may create up to 10 links in a 30 day period.

Gift articles remaining: --

Gift article access

The link will stop working after 30 days or 10 uses. You may create up to 10 links in a 30 day period.

Gift articles remaining: --

Gift article access

As a benefit of your subscription, you can share temporary access to restricted articles.

Each link will stop working after 30 days or 10 uses.

You have reached the limit of 10 links within a 30 day period