Sound speed was first measured using a human speaking rate as the clock

Evidence

The French ecclesiastic Father Marin Mersenne (1588–1648), of the order of Minims, made the first good estimates of the speed of sound using echoes. The method for measuring short intervals of time favored by Mersenne was speaking polysyllabic words in rapid succession: Mersenne could utter seven syllables per second. This timing method, together with the echo from a distant object, led to a figure of 1038 ft/s for the velocity of sound, not too far off from the 1125 ft/s modern value at room temperature, and very close the correct value at 32°F, or 0°C. — Eric J. Heller, Why You Hear What You Hear- An…, 152

Categorization

• CANDY: A 17th-century monk measured the speed of sound by talking fast to himself and timing echoes — great elevator story.
• SHARE: Send to anyone fascinated by the history of measurement or acoustics pioneers.