Maxwell's equations contain three constants ε0, µ0, and c, whose product satises ε0µ0c2 =1 by denition. This paper demonstrates that c is not a universal vacuum constant but themaximum areal velocity (L²/T) of a point on Earth's equator relative to the Earth's surface asthe reference frame. This follows from the historical denitions of the metre (1/40 000 000 ofEarth's meridian) and the second (1/86 400 of the mean solar day). The Maxwell equationsare reinterpreted as describing three equally privileged harmonic oscillation elds (transverse electric, transverse magnetic, and longitudinal gravitational), with gravity emerging asback-reaction of transverse energy density on the longitudinal component. Einstein's 1905postulate of constant c in all inertial frames erroneously assumes uniform Earth rotationduring one day, which is neither empirically nor logically required. This systematic errorin the foundational assumptions explains the uncertainty relations and stochastic characterof quantum theory as artifacts of projecting constant linear velocity (L/T) onto rotationalmotion, whereas only areal velocity L²/T satises a consistent time denition.
Manfred U.E. Pohl (Thu,) studied this question.