Tuesday, July 20, 2010
The latest rant about engineers dabbling in the history of science. This time, an Italian mechanical engineer “reconstructs” Archimedes’ steam cannon, despite any evidence that they existed.
Posted by Darin on 07/20 at 11:55 PM
(1) Comments •
Permalink
Monday, July 19, 2010
Continuing to explore the rich collections here in Philadelphia, this post looks at three textbooks edited by Georg Tannstetter, the Viennese astrologer/astronomer and personal physician to Emperor Maximilian I. Tannstetter’s texts are in The College of Physicians, the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, and the American Philosophical Society.
Posted by Darin on 07/19 at 11:47 PM
Permalink
Sunday, July 18, 2010
A quick look at three editions of Joh. Ganivet’s important tract on medical astrology: the Amicus medicorum. Written in the early 15th century, it was printed five times between 1496 and 1614. The earliest three are at the College of Physicians.
Posted by Darin on 07/18 at 11:41 PM
Permalink
Monday, July 12, 2010
This post looks at Joseph Moxon’s efforts in the late 17th century to make science fun and to popularize astronomy by using astronomical playing cards.
Posted by Darin on 07/12 at 11:43 PM
Permalink
Friday, July 09, 2010
This post points to some early tracts on the French Disease (often identified as syphilis) and offers a brief account of Joseph Grünpeck’s two works on the disease, highlighting his astrological account of the illness.
Posted by Darin on 07/09 at 12:23 PM
Permalink
Thursday, July 08, 2010
Edward Drinker Cope’s townhouses still stand on the corner of Pine and 21st streets. The plaque in front clearly marks them for the few passers by to see.
Posted by Darin on 07/08 at 11:56 PM
Permalink
Melvyn Bragg, host of BBC Radio 4’s “In Our Time,” regularly examines topics in the history of science. His recent program on Pliny’s Historia naturalis joins a long list of such programs.
Posted by Darin on 07/08 at 11:07 PM
Permalink
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
The latest attempt to essentialize and reify IQ, to apply it to disparate populations, and draw strong conclusions.
Posted by Darin on 07/07 at 12:15 AM
Permalink
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Yet another effort to identify King Tut’s cause of death. This time sickle cell disease is the culprit.
Posted by Darin on 07/06 at 11:38 PM
Permalink
A critical review of S.J. Parris’s Heresy. Despite promising reviews, the book is something of a disappointment.
Posted by Darin on 07/06 at 11:07 AM
Permalink
Page 1 of 1