Why the Luminiferous Ether
An Old Hypothesis Gains Fictional Life
Yes, in the real world, the correct spelling for this substance scientists once believed was real is "luminiferous aether." I changed it for the Creedverse, because the added "a" gives it a British or classical feel. For me, dropping it feels more western and grounded. More American.
What Exactly Was the Luminiferous Ether?
In actual 19th-century science, it was a widely accepted hypothesis. Scientists thought it was a material that filled the voids in the cosmos. They believed that light had to pass through something the same way that sound travels through air and waves across water. The ether was that stuff.
It had to be weightless and invisible, but essential. Otherwise, they couldn't comprehend how light could travel through the void of space. They figured that the ether held everything in place and allowed motion and energy to spread.
We now know, of course, there is no such substance. The Michelson-Morley experiment of 1887 disproved it, and Einstein's ideas disregarded it. In the Creedverse, however? That's another matter entirely.
In the Creedverse, the luminiferous ether is real, though different from what 19th-century scientists imagined. My protagonist, Anna Lynn Boyd, theorized that the luminiferous ether coexists with our cosmos but does not respond to normal matter within and surrounding large cosmic objects, like planets. It's similar in that way to neutrinos: it's only apparent under certain circumstances.
The notion was only the beginning of her genius. She managed to put it to use, creating a blended metal—called celestium alloy—that could pull power from the ether. Anna studied established science and created mathematical formulas to deduce how to accomplish this. At first, celestium alloy offered a trickle of steady power: enough to prove her ideas correct.
Later, working in partnership with Miles Morgan and his companies, Anna and other inventors improved the technology. They increased the power output. Going one step further, Anna formulated a version of celestium alloy that harnessed the healing powers of the ether. With it, she resurrected her father, James Creed.
Others have developed new formulas. You can learn about those in my The Adventures of Bodacious Creed trilogy and my collection of short stories, Guts & Gears, as well as my upcoming novel, Anna: Daughter of Creed.
Are you curious about Anna's other inventions and the trouble that certain types of celestium alloy have caused? The Creedverse is an entire world just waiting for you.
Until next week!
Jonathan
Have you read The Adventures of Bodacious Creed yet? If not, check out the series by clicking the image below! It’s available in Kindle and print formats, and free to read on Kindle Unlimited!
This week, I'm swapping book mentions with two of my fellow authors. Check out what’s on offer, and I hope you find something you'll enjoy!
