Colour Measurement and Mixture

Abney, William de Wiveleslie, Sir, 1843-1920Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.7

Word count: 248K words
Chapters: 25

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Colour Measurement and Mixture by Sir William de Wiveleslie AbneyAuthor: Abney, William de Wiveleslie, Sir, 1843-1920,Language: English, Class: QC: Science: Physics, Release Date: Feb 26, 2012

Editor's review

Colour Measurement and Mixture is a classic work on colour measurement and mixing by the British scientist William de Wiveleslie Abney. A public-domain text in physics, it is distributed by Project Gutenberg. Abney devoted much of his career to photography and vision science; this book examines how colour is quantified and how different coloured lights combine, touching on fundamental questions of spectra, colour vision and measurement methods. It is a primary text for understanding the formation of modern colorimetry. Its strength lies in combining experimental observation with theoretical exposition, in the rigorous style of late nineteenth-century scientific writing. Readers interested in the history of colour science or the history of photographic technology will find here the lines of thought that preceded today's colour systems; beginners seeking a systematic textbook should treat it as a historical source rather than an introduction, and read it alongside modern works on colorimetry.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers studying the history of colour science and colorimetry
Those interested in the history of photographic technology and vision research
Science and engineering readers with a physics background who want to learn about early colour measurement methods
Researchers collecting public-domain science ebooks

Not a good fit for

Complete beginners looking for a modern introduction to colour
Practitioners who need a book for direct use in design colour matching
Readers who dislike the style of nineteenth-century scientific writing

Reading tips

Begin with the table of contents to grasp the logic of the two parts, measurement and mixing, then proceed chapter by chapter.
Take notes comparing the text with basic concepts of modern colorimetry, marking shifts in the meaning of terms.
Slow down for passages describing experiments, and consult diagrams where necessary.
Read alongside works on the history of photography or vision science to establish the period context.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

How does this book differ from modern colour science textbooks?

This is a scientific work from the late nineteenth to early twentieth century, reflecting the understanding and experimental methods of colour measurement and mixing of its time; it is not a textbook organized around the modern colorimetry system. It is better suited as material for the history of science: read alongside modern textbooks, it reveals how concepts and methods have evolved.

Can I understand it without a physics background?

The book deals with spectra, colour vision and measurement methods, and a basic knowledge of physics makes it easier to follow. Readers with no background can read the introductory chapters selectively and look up terminology as needed, but they should not expect it to replace a systematic introductory text.

Is the electronic edition in English, and where can I get it?

According to the Project Gutenberg entry, the book is in English and is a free public-domain ebook, searchable on its website by title or author. The file format and layout depend on the version actually downloaded.

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About the author

Abney, William de Wiveleslie, Sir, 1843-1920 Author · British · 1843–1920

William de Wiveleslie Abney (1843–1920) was a British photographic scientist who studied photographic chemistry and light-sensitive materials and also held a post in government service. One work by him is held in this collection, Colour Measurement and Mixture. The book deals with the measurement and mixing of colour and is a specialized work at the intersection of photographic science and colour research, reflecting his approach to colour as a chemical and physical problem. Public information on the details of his life is limited, so little more can be added about his personal career; judged by the surviving work, his writing emphasizes experimental methods and technical principles and addresses readers interested in photographic technology and colour science, offering some reference value in the relevant professional field.