Who invented ET

[Richard Moody]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Clark <caccola@net1plus.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, January 03, 2001 7:49 AM
Subject: Re: Who invented.......


>Hi,

>Huygens described 31-tone equal temperament exactly in 1693;
>unfortunately, while he includes monochord string lengths and pre-cents,
>his instructions are to tune from the monochord compounding chances for
>error (if the tuner were, um fortunate enough to find a 31-tone
>instrument).
>Jorgensen includes reference to
>Farey, John. "Theorems for calculating the Temperaments of such regular
>Douzeaves as are commensurable or defined by a certain number of equal
>parts, into which the Octave is divided." The Philosophical Magazine
>(London: Richard Taylor and Company) 38 (1811): 434-36.

>Farey, John sr. "An Improved Piano-Forte-New Logarithmetic Scales." The
>Philosophical Magazine and Journal (London: Richard and Arthur Taylor)
>45 (1815): 386-877.

Clark

There are mentions that the Chinese knew the concept 3000 years ago
Aristoxenes gave the math concept in 400 BC (ca)
Vicenzo Galilei in 1581 for ET on the lute. (18/17 ratio)
Mersenne gives very close monochord lengths for ET in 1635.  
Frescobaldi endorsed it in the late 1630's
Rameau praised ET as a temperament in 1737.
James Broadwood writes how to tune it in 1811. 
Claude Montal tuning instructions of 1837
SEE Groves, and Helmholtz for references.
    ---ric