This paper explores the groundbreaking contributions of Hermann von Helmholtz and Erwin Schrödinger to the geometry of color space ‐a 3D space that correlates color distances with perceptual differences. Drawing upon his expertise in non‐Euclidean geometry, physics, and psychophysics, Helmholtz introduced the first Riemannian line element in color space between 1891 and 1892, inaugurating a new line of research known as higher color metric, a term coined by Schrödinger in 1920. During his tenure at the University of Vienna, Schrödinger extensively worked on color theory and rediscovered Helmholtz's forgotten line element. In his 1920 papers titled “Grundlinien einer Theorie der Farbmetrik im Tagessehen,” published in the Annalen der Physik, Schrödinger elucidated certain shortcomings in Helmholtz's model and proposed his refined version of the Riemannian line element. This study delves into this captivating chapter in the history of color science, emphasizing the profound impact of Helmholtz's and Schrödinger's work on subsequent research in color metrics up to the present day. How does distance in color space translate into perceptual difference? In the late 19th century, Hermann von Helmholtz explored this question, combining psychophysics with non‐Euclidean geometry to establish the first line element in color space. Despite years of obscurity, Helmholtz's work resurfaced in 1920 through the efforts of Erwin Schrödinger, who paved the way for a new research trajectory within color science.