Many physics teachers have a set of slides of single, double and multiple slits to show their students the phenomena of interference and diffraction. Thomas Young's historic experiments with double slits were indeed a milestone in proving the wave nature of light. But another experiment, namely the Poisson spot, was also important historically and in addition involves elements of drama and a clash between bold ideas of young scientists and the old guard--a recurrent theme throughout science. This article introduces wave optics with that experiment and relates the drama surrounding it in the year 1818. (Contains 3 figures.)