In the late 19th and early 20th century various tools
and techniques existed for vowel characteristic tone
measurements, including the use of such instruments
as tuning forks and resonators. This subtle method
demanding from the researcher a sensitive ear and a
good training nevertheless remained subjective and
depended to a great extent on the explorer’s will.
Contrary to modern data descriptions, most of vowel
measurements were given as precise single values
and not as value areas. Thus several questions arise:
what are the possible reasons underlying the choice
of a concrete value by a researcher? Could this
choice be deliberate? Was it due to the measuring
technique imperfection? What role could tradition
and psychological aspect play?
In order to answer these questions, values
suggested by Helmholtz, Koenig and Rousselot are
analyzed in the present study in correlation with the
descriptions of measurement methods existing at
that time