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Mach Introduces "Mach Bands"
Mach proved that our brains alter colors that are very similar so that we are able to see edges. Though he was an empiricist, this discovery cast doubt on visual experience and observations. A video on how Mach bands work:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ZEn7QUqKIM Mach, E. (1865). “On the effect of the spatial distribution of the light stimulus on the retina,” in Mach Bands: Quantitative Studies On Neural Networks in the Retina (1965), ed F. Ratliff (San Francisco: Holden-Day), 253–271. -
Mach Discovers How Balance Works
Mach devised an experiment to find out how the inner ear gauges human balance. He discovered that the fluid within semicircular canals in the inner ear transmit information to the brain as it moves. This further contradicted the ideas of absolute space or absolute motion, which may have been influential in Mach's embrace of phenomenalism. -
Mach Discovers Shockwaves from Supersonic Motion
In 1887, Mach worked with a photographer named Peter Salcher to prove through experimentation that supersonic motion creates shockwaves. He was also able to accurately describe the sound and shape of shockwaves in such an occurrence. The Mach Number was also named after him. Mach, E., and P. Salcher. “Photographische Fixirung Der Durch Projectile in Der Luft Eingeleiteten Vorgänge.” Annalen Der Physik Und Chemie, vol. 268, no. 10, 1887, pp. 277–291., doi:10.1002/andp.18872681008. -
Mach Furthers Empirio-Criticism
Mach continues developing his philosophy of science ideas. He believes that mathematics are the key to science, and that only experience can be trusted. This has been called phenomenalistic, meaning he only believes sensations are real. He was so influential that Vladimir Lenin himself wrote a book criticizing his views directly. Mach, Ernst. Contributions to the Analysis of the Sensations. Chicago: Open court Pub. Co, 1897. Internet resource. -
Mach Proposes Theories on Relativity
Mach describes his views on relativity. Einstein himself would say that general relativity hinges on one of his ideas, which he calls "Mach's Principle." Mach was a huge influence on Einstein, and did much of the groundwork that led to Einstein's breakthrough, and the paradigm shift that influenced Thomas Kuhn. Ernst Mach, Space and Geometry from the Point of View of Physical Inquiry. , The Monist, Volume 14, Issue 1, 1 October 1903, Pages 1–32, https://doi.org/10.5840/monist190314139
