From Robert Boyle's New Experiments Physico-Mechanical.
ID number
RB-RB1662-1
Title
Diagram of the human hand, from Giordano Bruno's discussion of the properties of the number 5 in De monade numero et figura.
Abstract
De monade numero et figura (On the Monad, Number and Figure) is part of the trilogy of Latin verse works published in Frankfurt in 1591 and considered to be Bruno's philosophical testament. In the De monade Bruno discusses Pythagorean number symbolism and the meanings of the numbers 1 to 10.
ID number
RB-GB1591
Title
Illustration of Torbern Bergman's chemical apparatus from Opuscula Physica et Chemica.
Abstract
This translation from the original Latin is by Edmund Cullen. It includes notes and illustrations by Cullen and was published in 1784 by J. Murray, London.
ID number
RB-TB1784
Title
Engraving designed by Kepler
Abstract
Engraved frontispiece to Kepler's Rudolphine Tables (Tabulae Rudolphinae) showing the great astronomers (including Kepler) gathered in the temple of Urania. Designed by Kepler himself; engraved by Georg Celer.
ID number
RB-JK1627-1
Title
Kepler - Model of the Universe
Abstract
Model of the universe (the outermost sphere is Saturn's) from Johannes Kepler' s "Mysterium Cosmographicum" (1597, edition of 1621) Count Rocco Collection.
ID number
RB-JK1596-4
Title
Map of the world
Abstract
From Kepler's "Rudolphine Tables." (1627).
ID number
RB-JK1627-2
Title
Frontispiece from book by Hevelius
Abstract
Frontispiece from Hevelius' "Machinae Coelestis Pars Prior." (1673).
ID number
RB-JH1673-1
Title
Hevelius and wife--illustration
Abstract
Hevelius and wife observing at sextant from Hevelius' "Machinae Coelestis Pars Prior." (1673).
ID number
RB-JH1673-2
Title
Galileo, the moon from Sidereus Nuncius (The Sidereal Messenger), Venice, 1610
Abstract
An engraved illustration of features of the moon's surface, as seen by Galileo with his telescope. He was able to describe the roughness of the moon's surface and the position of spots and prominences on the light and dark sides.
ID number
RB-GG1610a-3
Title
Galileo, two illustrations of the moon from Sidereus Nuncius (The Sidereal Messenger), Venice, 1610
Abstract
Two illustrations of features of the moon's surface, showing strong light and dark shadings on the light side. According to the prevailing Aristotelian cosmology, heavenly bodies were perfectly smooth and spherical. Galileo's observations of the moon's roughness tended to support the new Copernican system, which no longer upheld the distinction between terrestrial and heavenly bodies.
ID number
RB-GG1610a-4
Title
"Scrooge's third visitor"--Dickens
ID number
RB-CD1843-1
Title
"Mr. Fezziwig's Ball"--Dickens
ID number
RB-CD1843-2
Title
Heliocentric model of the universe
Abstract
From Copernicus, “De Re. . .”, 1st ed. (pg. 10)
ID number
RB-NC1543-1
Title
Illustration from Kepler's "Harmonices Mundi" (Harmonies of the World).
Abstract
Rocco Collection, History of Science.
ID number
RB-JK1619A-1
Title
Otto von Guericke, “Experimenta Nova...” (New Magdeburg Experiments)
Abstract
Illustration showing experiment of the Magdeburg hemispheres in which horses could not pull apart the vacuum created within the hemispheres. Watson Collection, History of Science.
ID number
RB-OG1672-1
Title
Title page: “Nova Reperta” (New Discoveries)
Abstract
Shows nine new discoveries of the time. The collection consists of twenty plates showing new discoveries, including navigation by compass. Watson Collection, History of Science.
ID number
RB-A1600-1
Title
Title page: Benjamin Franklin “Experiments and Observations on Electricity, 5th ed., London.
Abstract
Supervised by Franklin himself, this is the most accurate 18th century edition of his famous work on electricity. Cast in the form of letters to the English Quaker, Peter Collinson, these letters were presented by Collinson to the Royal Society and published in their Philosophical Transactions. History of Science.
ID number
RB-BF1774-1
Title
Title page: Euclid, “The Elements of Geometrie”, London
Abstract
First English edition. Translated into English for the first time by Sir Henry Billingsley, with preface by M. Dee. Based on earlier Latin versions. Watson Collection, History of Science.
ID number
RB-E1570-1
Title
Kepler, “Harmonices mundi” (Harmonies of the World)
Abstract
Illustration from Book III, chapter 10, “concerning the Tetrachords...,” in which attributes of musical scales are discussed. Rocco Collection, History of Science.
ID number
RB-JK1619A-2
Title
Galileo, title page from Le Operazione del Compasso Geometrico et Militare (The Operation of the Geometric and Military Compass), Padua, 1606
Abstract
The Compasso was Galileo's first published book and was printed in Padua, where he had taught mathematics at the University since 1592. Written in the vernacular, the book was directed to a wide audience. It was dedicated to Cosimo II de' Medici, the Grand Duke of Tuscany, who had been one of Galileo's students and who would hire him as his philosopher and mathematician a few years later.
