J Fourier Anal Appl (2011) 17: 320–354 DOI 10.1007/s00041-010-9131-8 Interpolation and Sampling: E.T. Whittaker, K. Ogura and Their Followers P.L. Butzer · P.J.S.G. Ferreira · J.R. Higgins · S. Saitoh · G. Schmeisser · R.L. Stens Received: 7 December 2009 / Published online: 13 July 2010 © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC 2010 Abstract The classical sampling theorem has often been attributed to E.T. Whittaker, but this attribution is not strictly valid. One must carefully distinguish, for example, between the concepts of sampling and of interpolation, and we find that Whittaker worked in interpolation theory, not sampling theory. Again, it has been said that K. Ogura was the first to give a properly rigorous proof of the sampling theorem. We find that he only indicated where the method of proof could be found; we identify what is, in all probability, the proof he had in mind. Ogura states his sampling the- In Memory of Gen-ichirô Sunouchi (1911–2008), a Great Mathematician and Human Being Communicated by Hans G. Feichtinger. P.L. Butzer · R.L. Stens () Lehrstuhl A für Mathematik, RWTH Aachen University, 52056 Aachen, Germany e-mail:
[email protected] P.L. Butzer e-mail:
[email protected] P.J.S.G. Ferreira IEETA/DETI, Universidade de Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal e-mail:
[email protected] J.R. Higgins I.H.P., 4 rue du Bary, 11250 Montclar, France e-mail:
[email protected] S. Saitoh Department of Mathematics, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal e-mail:
[email protected] G.