For those still trying to wrap their heads around fourier analysis, this video series may be helpful. Link below is to part 1 of 4.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAsM30MAHLg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAsM30MAHLg
Fourier Analysis, performed visually by mechanical computer
- Thread starter Phil Graham
- Start date
Re: Fourier Analysis, performed visually by mechanical computer
Phil, thank you for this outstanding link. It reminds us how much more people knew and understood about the classical physics and mathematics that describe everyday mechanical phenomena in centuries past. We sometimes feel we are very smart because we can operate software that does amazingly complicated calculations and creates useful applications like digital audio, but we tend to forget that the people who created the science upon which this technology was based lived in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. This is all classical physics, pre-quantum mechanics, and guys like Hermann Helmholz and his doctoral student Michelson (who created the machine in the video) had so much deeper understanding of it than we do, we have no idea. Try reading Helmholz' book "On the sensations of tone", which in 1863 laid out the scientific basis for speaker design and lots of other 20th century technology. He got some things wrong but got the overwhelming majority of ideas right, as evidenced by their later scientific and technological success. There is something about doing hand calculations, like hand calculations of Fourier analysis, that deepens your understanding of the mathematical models of the physical phenomena but of course none of us have time for that level of detail these days. Thank you for posting this video to help jar us out of our delusions of superior intelligence.
Phil, thank you for this outstanding link. It reminds us how much more people knew and understood about the classical physics and mathematics that describe everyday mechanical phenomena in centuries past. We sometimes feel we are very smart because we can operate software that does amazingly complicated calculations and creates useful applications like digital audio, but we tend to forget that the people who created the science upon which this technology was based lived in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. This is all classical physics, pre-quantum mechanics, and guys like Hermann Helmholz and his doctoral student Michelson (who created the machine in the video) had so much deeper understanding of it than we do, we have no idea. Try reading Helmholz' book "On the sensations of tone", which in 1863 laid out the scientific basis for speaker design and lots of other 20th century technology. He got some things wrong but got the overwhelming majority of ideas right, as evidenced by their later scientific and technological success. There is something about doing hand calculations, like hand calculations of Fourier analysis, that deepens your understanding of the mathematical models of the physical phenomena but of course none of us have time for that level of detail these days. Thank you for posting this video to help jar us out of our delusions of superior intelligence.