Aether as a substitute for space

There is no logical argument for a definition of space based on imaginary concepts. That is why, from early time, it was believed that a real entity, namely (different kinds of) aether, filled the entire space. In such theories, aether (with real existence) replaced non-existent space by filling it entirely. Mode of filling or mechanism of existence of these entities were never discussed. It was simply believed that the undefined aether work in place of unacceptable space. Therefore, all properties originally assigned to the functional entity of space could become properties of aether, a real entity. Although the aether had an ambiguous form but it was regarded as a real entity. Since the aether was real, it could deform, move or otherwise interact with other 3D material objects. This seems to have made all actions more logical and easy to understand. Unfortunately, no one could describe a satisfactory structure or properties for any of the different kinds of aether, proposed. Different types of aether were envisaged at different times in the past. The aether was assumed to be weightless, transparent, frictionless, chemically or physically undetectable and literally permeating all matter and space. ‘Aether theories’ met with increasing difficulties as the nature of light and the structure of matter became better defined, even if it was on imaginary basis. Since there was no accepted definition of aether, scientists concentrated their effort to find and measure an effect, the aether may make on other 3D macro bodies. For this they assumed, when a large macro body moves through aether, the macro body should essentially experience a drag due to the friction between the two. Aether theory was seriously weakened (1881) by the Michelson-Morley experiment, which was designed specifically to detect resistance to the motion of the Earth through the ether. Experiments showed that there was no such tangible effect. Finally, when aether’s existence could not be proved experimentally, by experiments based on illogical theories, majority of scientists abandoned the concept of (real) aether. They returned to more mysterious concepts of space and fields. Aether could have won the day if it could be explained that it is a real entity with definite structure, in direct contact with matter-bodies and it could move enclosed matter-bodies without appreciably moving itself but at the same time without any relative motion between moving body and the aether.