"If the ether as an absolute reference system could be demonstrated, the notion of absolute space could be saved. Indeed, one of the most important experiments to this end, the Michelson-Morley experiment, was in 1904 interpreted by Lorentz in this sense. His interpretation fulfilled all physical requirements. As is well known, according to Lorentz every body moving with reference to the motionless ether or absolute space undergoes a certain contraction in the dimension parallel to the motion. However, the Michelson-Morley experiment served as the starting point for the development of the theory of relativity and was interpreted by Einstein on entirely different lines, adverse to the acceptance of absolute space. It was understood that both interpretations give a complete explanation of all observations known at the beginning of the twentieth century. An experimenturn cruris could not decide between these two theories."