Early Modern Mathematical Instruments

For the purpose of reviewing the history of mathematical instruments and the place the subject might command in the history of science, if we take “early modern” to cover the period from the 16th to the 18th century, a first impression may well be one of a change from vigorous development in the 16t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Best Writing on Mathematics 2013 Vol. 4; pp. 163 - 174
Main Author Bennett, Jim
Format Book Chapter
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Princeton University Press 19.01.2014
Subjects
Applied sciences
Astronomical instrumentation
Astronomy
Celestial coordinate systems
Chronometers
Chronometry
Clocks
Communications
Communications media
Historical methodology
Historiography
History
History of science
Instrumentation
MATHEMATICS
Metaphilosophy
Metrology
Natural philosophy
Philosophy
Physical sciences
Popular science
Print media
Quadrants
Research methods
Social sciences
Spherical astronomy
Sundials
Survey design
Survey methods
Survey research
Technology
Treatises
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Summary:For the purpose of reviewing the history of mathematical instruments and the place the subject might command in the history of science, if we take “early modern” to cover the period from the 16th to the 18th century, a first impression may well be one of a change from vigorous development in the 16th century to relatively mundane stability in the 18th. More careful scrutiny suggests that this perception is relative and depends more on our priorities as historians than on the interests of the instrument manufacturers or users. In fact, the role of mathematical instruments and the agenda of
ISBN:9780691160412
0691160414
DOI:10.1515/9781400847990-018