Original typescript for the introduction to Bergson's book "Duration and Simultaneity with reference to Einsteins Theory"

Dingle, Herbert ; [Bergson, Henri]

Published by [Bobbs-Merrill Company, Inc.] Herbert Dingle, [Indianapolis, New York, Kansas City], 1965

About this Item

First Edition. i-xxvii pages. 12 1/2 x 8 inch paper. An original typescript paginated in pencil on the upper right hand corners. Editorial marks, corrections and strikethroughs throughout. Folded with mild soiling throughout. Bottom edges frayed. Old cellotape marks in several places, including cancel notes. Penciled "HERBERT DINGLE April 1965" on last page in an unknown hand. Disbound. The edited version of this original typescript was published as the introduction to Henri Bergson's book "Duration and Simultaneity with reference to Einsteins Theory", published by Bobbs-Merrill in 1965 (pages xv-xlii). Herbert Dingle was an "English physicist and natural philosopher.[who authored] a number of books including "Modern Astrophysics" (1924) and "Practical Applications of Spectrum Analysis" (1950). He also wrote the essay "Relativity for All" (1922) and the monograph The Special Theory of Relativity (1940)." Beyond his published scientific work, Dingle is best known for his "public and contentious campaign" in opposition to Einsteins special theory of relativity. Dingle's wikipedia entry has a good summary of the disputes, quoted in part below: "Dingle carried on a highly public and contentious campaign to get this conclusion accepted by the scientific community, mostly through letters to the editors of various scientific periodicals, including Nature. Dozens of scientists responded with answers to Dingle's claims, explaining why the reciprocity of the Lorentz transformation does not entail any logical inconsistency, but Dingle rejected all the explanations. This culminated in his 1972 book, Science at the Crossroads in which Dingle stated that "a proof that Einstein's special theory of relativity is false has been advanced; and ignored, evaded, suppressed and, indeed, treated in every possible way except that of answering it, by the whole scientific world." . According to Max Born, "Dingle's objections are just a matter of superficial formulation and confusion."" This 1965 typescript while providing much useful and appropriate introductory content also serves to continue Dingle's public dispute. The typescript (page xiv) moves into this well worn territory and notes his frustrations with not being heard. In the last paragraph Dingle notes he has made three unsuccessful attempts to "get such an analysis published.". The editor strikes through the next sentence: "The first two were rejected without assigned reason; the third was rejected by The Physical Review because, it was said, I had 'published it all before'" no doubt recognizing that Dingle was whining and not adding anything to the intended content. Even though nearly all other editorial suggestions were incorporated in the published introduction, this sentence was included, no doubt at Dingle's insistence. A singular opportunity to own a unique artifact from one of the more colorful controversies in modern physics.

Seller Inventory # 28335

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Original typescript for the introduction to Bergson's book "Duration and Simultaneity with reference to Einsteins Theory"
• Publisher: [Bobbs-Merrill Company, Inc.] Herbert Dingle, [Indianapolis, New York, Kansas City]
• Publication Date: 1965
• Binding: Disbound
• Edition: First Edition.
• Condition: Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Archives, Autographs & Manuscripts
  • Physics