Ladd-Franklin theory

optics

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June 30, 2026

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Christine Ladd-Franklin developed a theory of colour vision that emphasized the evolutionary development of color perception. Her theory, proposed in Germany around 1891-92, suggested a photochemical model for the visual system and critiqued existing views by Hermann von Helmholtz and Ewald Hering. While the trichromatic theory, proposed by Thomas Young and refined by Helmholtz, posits three types of color receptors (cones) sensitive to blue, green, and red light, Ladd-Franklin's work offered an alternative perspective on how color vision develops and functions. Her theory was widely accepted for a period.12

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Christine Ladd-Franklin
…in 1891–92, she developed the Ladd-Franklin theory, which emphasized the evolutionary development of increased differentiation in colour vision and assumed a photochemical model for the visual system. Her theory, which criticized the views of Hermann von Helmholtz and Ewald Hering, was widely accepted for a number of years.
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…in 1891–92, she developed the Ladd-Franklin theory, which emphasized the evolutionary development of increased differentiation in colour vision and assumed a photochemical model for the visual system. Her theory, which criticized the views of Hermann von Helmholtz and Ewald Hering, was widely accepted for a number of years.
Read More