Thomas Young later proposed that this paradox could be explained by colours being perceived through a limited number of channels in the eyes, which he proposed to be threefold, the trichromatic colour theory.
Thomas Young a propus mai târziu că acest paradox poate fi explicat prin faptul că culorile sunt percepute printr-un număr limitat de canale în ochi, pentru care el a avansat numărul de trei, teoria culorii tricromatice⁠(d).