Biography

Ibn al-Haytham, also known as al-Ḥasan b. al-Ḥasan b. al-Haytham, was a pioneering figure in the field of optics. He is best known for his seminal work, 'Kitab al-Manazir' (Book of Optics), where he formulated the theory of vision, proposed that light travels in straight lines, and explained the phenomena of reflection and refraction. His method of experimentation laid the groundwork for the scientific method. Beyond optics, he made significant contributions to astronomy, mathematics, and engineering, including the study of the atmosphere and the mechanics of the human eye.