Monthly Archives: May 2011

The astronomical revolution didn’t start here!

Posted on May 30, 2011 by

In the usual collection of myths that passes for history of science in our culture the astronomical revolution (and the so-called scientific revolution for that matter) is considered to have started with the publication of Copernicus’ De revolutionibus in Nürnberg … Continue reading →

Posted in Astrology, astronomy, Early Scientific Printing, History, mathematics | 1 Comment

Nations, nationality, nationalism, history and historiography

Posted on May 28, 2011 by

Was Boscovich Croation or Italian? Copernicus Polish or German? Al-Haytham Persian or Iraqi ? Gemma Frisius Belgian or Dutch? For some critical thoughts on the illegitimacy of these questions and the incorrectness of the usual answers go read here

Posted in History, Teaching HPS | Leave a comment

Updates from Vintage Space

Posted on May 23, 2011 by

A lot has been going on over at Vintage Space in the last few weeks. Here’s a brief recap of recent articles. (Left, President Kennedy and Wernher von Braun with a model Saturn IV rocket.) On April 12, 1961, Yuri … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Science, Space Exploration | 3 Comments

A maths book from a painter

Posted on May 21, 2011 by

The first book of mathematics to be printed and published in German was writen by a painter who is 540 years old today.

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

A Croatian Polymath

Posted on May 18, 2011 by

Join me in wishing the 18th century Jesuit polymath Roger Joseph Boscovich a happy 300th birthday

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

Season of the Witch

Posted on May 16, 2011 by

What do witches have to do with analytical geometrical curves? To find out go here

Posted in mathematics | Leave a comment

War Geology

Posted on May 15, 2011 by

The First World War was initiated with a fighting spirit inspired by the classic battles man against man, but soon the soldiers realized that the warfare of the 20th century had reached a potential of destruction never seen in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Geology | Leave a comment