The article doesn’t seem to mention it, but the question as to whether light has a speed or is instantaneous was discussed in Ancient Greece as well, and continued to be by thinkers throughout the ages.
Interesting article, seeing the history of optics being settled over a near millennia is quite breathtaking and reveals a lot about the nature of scientists.
What I wonder is why some of them chose not to publish their works when their hunches were correct?
It's a good HN submission, but please post a live original page rather than an archive copy when one is available. Archive links are ok when then they're truly the only option.