[visionlist] The blind spot and King Charles II of England

[Wolfe, Jeremy M.,PHD]

Dear Vision Community,

I have a historical question about the blind spot. Abbot Edme Mariotte described it in the 1660s in France. 

E.G. Boring writes about the blind spot that “King Charles (died 1685) is said to have used it in jest with his courtiers to show them what they would look like when their heads were off.” Boring, E. G. (1950). A History of Experimental Psychology (2nd ed.). Appleton-Century Co. p102

He gives no source. The story is well-known and oft repeated, but does anyone know of any documentation anywhere near the 17th century?

Helmholtz actually brings Mariotte and Charles II face to face “The experiment aroused so much interest that he (Mariotte) performed it before King Charles II of England in 1668.” 

Helmholtz, H. v. (1924). Treatise on Physiological Optics (Southall, Trans.; Trans. from 3rd German ed. of 1909, ed.). The Optical Society of America., V2, p42

But this is unlikely. He probably never went to England. So, does anyone have insight into the origins of the stories about King Charles and the blindspot? Like George Washington and the cherry tree, it seems like the sort of story that is too good to be true but good enough to be invented.

Best

Jeremy Wolfe

Jeremy M Wolfe, PhD 
Professor of Ophthalmology & Radiology, 
Harvard Medical School

Visual Attention Lab   
Department of Surgery   
Brigham & Women's Hospital

900 Commonwealth Ave
3rd Floor
Boston, 02215

Phone:  617-851-1166
Fax:  617-768-8816

Best email: jwolfe at bwh.harvard.edu
Backup: jeremywolfe0131 at gmail.com
URL: search.bwh.harvard.edu


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