Who First Plotted the Spectral Radiancy Curve and When?

[i_island0]

Hello everyone,
I am a physics teacher and off late i was pondering on just a general information about the spectral radiancy curve.

I wanted to know, who actually was the first one to do the experiments and make the plot. And in which year it was done.
I believe that unless the curve is made after experiments, guys cannot work out to get a Mathematical equation for that. So, wave theory failed and quantum physics started.

Now, this also raises a question as what made them think of defining a new physical quantity at first place.

regards
island

 

[azntoon]

The spectral radiance curve was first plotted and observed by German physicist Gustav Kirchhoff in 1860. He was the first to propose a mathematical equation for the curve, which is now known as Planck's law of blackbody radiation. This law is based on the idea that an idealized "blackbody" radiates electromagnetic energy at a certain temperature, and that this energy is related to the frequency of the radiation. The equation he proposed explains the shape of the spectral radiance curve, which can be used to determine the temperature of the object.