In another parallel, it took until the 1960s for the Big Bang theory to become the accepted mainstream theory as well. Both were based on movement away from an origin point in the distant past, both were proposed during the 1st half of the 20th century, and both were resolved later in the 2nd half!
The problem the Wegener had was the mechanism for the movement of continents. This is why it was not until the 1960s when the idea of plates in motion, which turned out to be convergent, divergent, and transform. Thus be peace of the puzzle that he had uncovered lacked only. a mechanism for it to be set in motion and that is why until the discovery of tectonic plates his ideas were an unknown piece of a much larger puzzle. Eventually, they gave rise to the idea of tectonic plates and the final view.
Sorry, that was a bit strong, but I think I am very much in the "I'd prefer not to do another book" camp. I really do enjoy a daily deep dive, even if I can only go so deep.
The crazy thing is that it wasn't until the 1960s that the theory of continental drift was generally accepted.
In another parallel, it took until the 1960s for the Big Bang theory to become the accepted mainstream theory as well. Both were based on movement away from an origin point in the distant past, both were proposed during the 1st half of the 20th century, and both were resolved later in the 2nd half!
It's crazy how much we just accept as 'known' is less than 150 years old. People before that just didn't know.
"Back in my day, we hadn't even detected gravitational waves yet!"
The problem the Wegener had was the mechanism for the movement of continents. This is why it was not until the 1960s when the idea of plates in motion, which turned out to be convergent, divergent, and transform. Thus be peace of the puzzle that he had uncovered lacked only. a mechanism for it to be set in motion and that is why until the discovery of tectonic plates his ideas were an unknown piece of a much larger puzzle. Eventually, they gave rise to the idea of tectonic plates and the final view.
Thanks, Stirling. Did I do all right with this history?
There are a lot of pieces to the puzzle. Have you considered writing a book about the period?
No!
Sorry, that was a bit strong, but I think I am very much in the "I'd prefer not to do another book" camp. I really do enjoy a daily deep dive, even if I can only go so deep.
great post!
Hey, thanks!
Fascinating!
The world sure was a bigger place back then.
BOOM!
Kicking my Monday off with a good ol' dad joke. Still got it!