Scientific Instruments, 1500-1900: An Introduction
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | 4.36 (739 Votes) |
| Asin | : | 0520217284 |
| Format Type | : | paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 128 Pages |
| Publish Date | : | 2013-05-31 |
| Language | : | English |
DESCRIPTION:
The development of modern science, beginning in the late Middle Ages, required the development of accurate tools for measuring such things as distance, weight, luminosity, temperature, and time. --Gregory McNamee. (The latter, Turner writes, became internationally popular in the mid-19th century after Queen Victoria expressed amusement at one displayed at a London fair.) Turner's well-illustrated catalog of scientific instruments is organized along the old instrument-makers' categories of mathematical, optical, and philosophical
Science has become the very substance of our life style. It features a comprehensive international list of major museums and instrument collections. But the appeal of historic scientific instruments remains, and from them much can be learned of the practice and development of science over four centuries.This book traces the historical origins and development of instruments as they spread across the globe, explaining their manufacture, use, and adaptations. The impulse to collect is an almost universal one, satisfying the hunting and acquisitive instincts, the love of beauty, and intellectual curiosity. The wealthy have collected rare and beautiful things from the earliest days of civilization, but the collection, or "cabinet," containing natural curiosities dates from the sixteenth century, and it was this type of collection in which scientific instruments found a home. This must-have book for the active collector gives practical advice on dealing with instruments and checking their authenticity. Over 100 superb illustrations show the instruments to their full advantage.. In the twentieth century, we have come to accept a vast range of technical, often complex, equipment for everyday use
Good purchase The book was in great condition. As good as new. The page quality was good too. It was gift for my boy friend and he loved it.. Excellent book for collectors and fans of science history. The book describes in an interesting and clear way the history of the scientific instruments from 1500 till the 20th century. There are explanation of the principle of operation of the instruments their history their manufacturers and more. From the astrolabes via philosophical instruments to microscopes, weights and scales etc. No doubt that the author is a first class expert with access to museum pieces, that is beyond the reach of most collectors. Many pictures of artifacts are presented with a list of museums that exhibit worth noting collections. A must book for any serious collector.