19th-century scientist studied anticlockwise walking, letter says
5 reported
A letter published in The Guardian reports that 19th-century French physiology professor Raphaël Dubois identified a reason why people prefer to walk anticlockwise. According to the letter, Dubois discovered a phenomenon he called the “antikinetic gyratory movement,” caused by the rotation of the Earth on its axis. The letter states that during the 1900 Universal Exhibition in Paris, Dubois observed a tendency among visitors to walk anticlockwise. It adds that in the years before World War I, Dubois applied his theory to explain migration of humans and animals, as well as war. The letter’s authors note that one of them documented the latter in a 1986 article in the journal Peace & Change. The letter is signed by five individuals from locations in England.
What’s reported
The letter states that 19th-century French professor of physiology Raphaël Dubois researched why people prefer to walk anticlockwise.
Dubois discovered a phenomenon he called the “antikinetic gyratory movement,” caused by Earth’s rotation.
During the 1900 Universal Exhibition in Paris, Dubois observed visitors tending to walk anticlockwise.
Before World War I, Dubois applied his theory to explain migration (of humans and animals) and war.
One of the letter’s authors documented the war application in a 1986 article in the journal Peace & Change.
Key figures
Raphaël Dubois, French professor of physiology (19th century)
Dr Peter van den Dungen, letter signatory
Ian Henderson, letter signatory
Patrick Billingham, letter signatory
Gail Hebert, letter signatory
Sources: The Guardian
