Helmholtz foresaw hearing mapped onto a mathematical frequency model like optics

Evidence

With the help of the hypothesis that each tone of specific pitch is sensed by an individual nerve fiber which is connected at its end to a vibrating pendulum of corresponding frequency—a hypothesis supported by recent anatomical findings—it appears that physiological acoustics will soon receive just as rigorous a mathematical garment as optics. — Eric J. Heller, Why You Hear What You Hear- An…, 1981

Categorization

• SHARE: A vivid 1857 letter where Helmholtz predicts a mathematical ‘garment’ for acoustics equal to optics — great for anyone into history of physics.
• CANDY: Helmholtz told Lord Kelvin that acoustics would soon wear ‘as rigorous a mathematical garment as optics’ — a charming period phrasing.