Category Archives: mathematics

Mapping the history of triangulation

Posted on May 25, 2012 by

Triangulation was for about 400 years until the invention of GPS the only tool available to cartographers to help them produce highly accurate maps. Maps that had hugh political, economic, scientific and military significance in the modern era. Have you … Continue reading →

Posted in astronomy, Book Reviews, History, mathematics | Leave a comment

It’s not the Mercator projection; it’s the Mercator-Wright projection

Posted on March 5, 2012 by

500 years ago on 5th March 1512 Gerard de Kremer was born in Rupelmonde [...]

Posted in History, mathematics | Leave a comment

Midwifery in the evolution of science

Posted on February 16, 2012 by

Georg Joachim Rheticus who was born 16th February 1514 was responsible for persuading Copernicus to publish his De revolutionises but who was he? to find the answer go here

Posted in astronomy, Early Scientific Printing, History, mathematics | Leave a comment

How Charles tried to oust Isaac from Cambridge

Posted on December 26, 2011 by

In 1812 Charles Babbage, who was born 26th December 1791, tried to oust Isaac Newton from Cambridge University. If you want to know how and why this came about the you can read the answer here

Posted in History, mathematics | Leave a comment

Only 26 and already a professor!

Posted on December 25, 2011 by

In 1669 Isaac Newton was appointed Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at Cambridge University. What did this appointment really mean in terms of recognition and status? To find out go here

Posted in History, mathematics | Leave a comment

The story of a problem

Posted on December 8, 2011 by

The origins of an interesting geometrical problem posed by Regiomontanus in 1471 are explained here

Posted in History, mathematics | Leave a comment

The Cult of St Alan of Bletchley Park

Posted on November 21, 2011 by

I realise that to rail against anything published in the Daily Fail is about as effective as pissing against the wind in a force 8 gale but this article on Alan Turing got so up my nose that I have decided to … Continue reading →

Posted in logic, mathematics | Leave a comment

The day that Jonas died

Posted on August 25, 2011 by

Even fairly ardent scholars of 17th century mathematics are unlikely to have heard of Jonas Moore who died on 25th August 1679. There is no Moore’s theorem or algorithm no branch of mathematics that counts him amongst its founders or greatest developers, … Continue reading →

Posted in astronomy, History, Institutions, mathematics | Leave a comment

Politics and mathematics

Posted on August 20, 2011 by

Jan de Witt was not only a leading European politician but also a member of a group of prominent Dutch Cartesian mathematicians.  I find this fascinating; just imagine a combination of David Cameron and Marcus du Sautoy, the mind boggles! … Continue reading →

Posted in History, mathematics | 1 Comment

Mythologizing John Dee

Posted on July 4, 2011 by

A short rant about the abuse of the history of science in theatre advertising and science journalism relating to Doctor Dee

Posted in Astrology, History, mathematics | Leave a comment