My black body story (it's physics).

This article recounts the author’s experience learning about the derivation of the resolution to the ultraviolet catastrophe in physics. The traditional teaching narrative suggests that Max Planck quantized light to tame the runaway energy problem, but upon reading the original paper by Planck, it becomes evident that his derivation was based on thermodynamics and focused on entropy rather than energy. This historical context reveals that Planck’s work did not directly lead to the invention of quantum mechanics as commonly perceived. Instead, the article emphasizes the importance of understanding how ideas were developed in their historical context, rather than only through a modern lens. The author expresses gratitude for the memorable and enriching experience of delving into this aspect of physics with their professor.