History - Scientific Revolution

Ptolemy

Greek, Astronomy, 2nd century A.D.

• Expanded the theory —> geocentric theory

• Studying his work helped scientists and historians to understand how people thought in the past

Copernicus

Poland, Astronomy & Cleric, Early 1500s

• Heliocentric or sun-centered theory

• “On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Bodies” —> 1543 —> last year of his death

• This theory changed how we understood space

• The basis idea behind cell of modern astronomy

Brahe

Denmark, Astronomy, 1600s

• Recorded the movements of planets for years

• Produced mountains of accurate data from his observations

• Helped develop the laws that still govern our understanding of space

Kepler

Denmark, Astronomy, 1601

• The planets revolve around the sun in elliptical orbits instead of circles

• Planets revolve around the sun

• These laws are important for space travel, when sending rockets to other planets

• To navigate space

Galileo

Italy, Astronomy, 1609-1610

• Built his own telescope and used it to study the heavens

• “Starry Messenger” and “Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems”

• Jupiter had four moons and the sun had dark spots

• People could see celetrial bodies for the first time

• Paved the way for all future astronomical study

Bacon

England, Philosopy, 1600s

• Believed that by better understanding the world, scientists would generate practical knowledge that would improve people’s lives

• Favored for using scientific knowledge to create new technologies and solve real-world problems

Descartes

France, Mathematics, 1600s

• Developed analyticall geometry for scientific research

• Analytic geometry led to computer graphics, engineering, navigation and more

Newton

England, Mathematics and Physics, 1600s

• The same force ruled motion of the planets and all matter on earth and in space

• “The Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy” (1687)

• A force of gravity

• Laws of Motion

• These laws were the base of mechanical engineering

• Newtons laws explain thr mechanics of movement

Harvey

England, Physiology and Anatomy, 1682

• How a humans heart functions —> a muscle that serves as a pump

• Doctors can now diagnose heart conditions

Janssen

Netherlands - Dutch, Optics, 1590

• The first microscope was evented

• Makes lenses

• Without it, we wouldn’t undersand diseases, genetics, or how life functions

Leeuwenhoek

Netherlands - Dutch, Scientist, a merchant, makes drapes, 1670s

• Examined red blood cells for the first time

• Developed microrganisms - can’t see with a naked eye —> seeing is believing

• We now know that many illnesses are caused by hygiene, sanitation

Torricelli

Italy, Meterology, 1643

• Developed the first mercury barometer, a tool for measuring atmospheric pressure and predicting weather

• To predict weather patterns

• Issue storm warnings

• To understand the dynamics of the atmosphere

Farenheit

Germany, Physics, 1714

• Made the first thermometer to use in mercury in glass

• Farenheir is the main system for measureing temperature in the US

Celsius

Sweden, Physics and Astronomy, 1742

• Created another scale for the mercury thermometer

• 0 degrees —> freeze + 100 degrees boils

• Dominant temperature scale used internationally

Galen

Greece, Anatomy of pigs and other animals, middle ages

• Assumed that human atomy was much the same

• Most comprehensive available for enturies

• “On the Structure of the Human Body” (1543)

Vesalius

Flamish - Belgium, Physician, Middle Ages

• Dissected human corpses & published his observations

• Every medical student relies on the understanding of the human body that vesalius established

• “On the Structure of the Human Body” (1543)

Jenner

England, Medicine, 1700s

• Introduced a vaccine to prevent small pox

• Inculation with germs from a cattle disease - cowpox gave permanent protection from smallpox for humans

• Saved millions of lives

• Smallpox was officially destroyed

Boyle

Scotland, Chemistry, 1661

• Founder of modern chemistry

• Proposed that matter was made up of smaller primary particles that merges in multiple ways

• “The Sceptical Chymist” (1661)

• Designing engines, predicting weather, explanation of why a balloon gets smaller when squeezed

Geocentric Theory

The earth was at the center of the universe

• Scholars believed earth was an immovable object

• The moon, sun, and planets all movd in perfectly circular paths around earth

Heliocentric Theory

The sun was at the center of the universe

• Still did not completely explain why the planets orbited the way they did

Conflict with the Church (Galileo)

• Frightened both Catholic & Protestant leaders - went. against church teaching + authority

• The catholic church warned Galileo not to defend the ideas of Copernicus

• Pope angrily summoned Galileo to Rome to stand trial before the inquisition

Scientific Method

Logical procedure for gathering and testing ideas