Color Television and Colorimetry

The high lights of the history of color measurement and of color photography are reviewed. Following this introduction, the principles of modern 3-color colorimetry are developed from a hypothetical experiment in color matching. The conventional theory of "perfect color reproduction" by color television is built up from colorimetric background. Some of the difficulties to be expected in applying colorimetry to color television are brought out. Finally, there is some discussion which tends to show that colorimetry may not be a sufficiently powerful tool to provide answers to all of the questions which will arise in the reproduction of scenes in color by television. The advantage of colorimetry as a background is indicated, however.