Illustration from micrographia london, 1665, robert hooke. Even the wonderful flea picture is barely 2cm x 2cm. The text celebrates the beauty of this tiny wingless insect, adornd with a curiously polishd suit of sable black armour and multitudes of sharp pinns, shapd almost like porcupines quills p. Micrographia was the first book in english to show observations made under a microscope. Very disappointing as the rest of the book is well produced, however the illustrations are the works most impressive point and this version does them no.
The flea is one of several foldout plates in the book. Unfortunately hooke s wonderful illustrations, reproduced in this book, are far too small to discern any details. Robert hookes micrographia opened up a whole new world of previously unseen wonders. This ground breaking book of microscopy was written by robert hooke 16351703.
Micrographia was an accurate and detailed record of his observations, illustrated with magnificent drawings, such as the flea shown below, which hooke described as adornd with a curiously polishd suite of sable armour, neatly jointed. Although not the first publication of microscopical observations, it was the first great work devoted to them, and its impact rivaled that of galileos sidereus nuncius half a century earlier. Memorial portrait of robert hooke,presented to the institute of physics,london. Astronomy in world history by the means of telescopes, there is nothing so far distant but may be represented to our view.
Robert hookes micrographia item of the month books. To commemorate his birthday, we are featuring his book micrographia as julys item of the month. The illustration shown here, the flea, is one of the most famous. He published a book, micrographia, which had lots of drawings of the things he had seen through his microscope, including a flea.
Originally published in 1665, micrographia is the most famous and influential work of english scholar robert hooke 16351703, a notable member of the royal society and the scientist for whom hooke s law of elasticity is named. I try to post an image relating to rare books and early manuscripts at least once a day. Apr 22, 2019 in 1664, scientist robert hooke drew a flea and created the first great work of british art. You may copy it, give it away or reuse it under the terms of the project gutenberg license included with this ebook or online at. Micrographia, published in 1665, is the result of detailed observations by robert hooke using the recently invented microscope. The book s author was a multitalented pioneer named robert hooke. Robert hookes micrographia item of the month books, health. A hidden legacy of robert hooke life in pen and ink. I did a similar search for micrographia which yielded illustrations of robert hookes flea schem. This year marks the 350 th anniversary of the publication of micrographia. That of a louse holding on to a human hair is nearly two feet across. In its day micrographia was a bestseller, and it received praise from samuel pepys, who stayed up until two in the morning reading the book.
Again, hooke has a scientists appreciation for the insect, commenting equally on its strength. Fellow of this society, entituled, micrographia, or some physiological descriptions of minute bodies, made by magnifying glasses, with observations and inquiries thereupon, be printed by john martyn, and james allestry, printers to the said society. This book includes hookes famous and astonishingly detailed illustration of a flea an image which fills a huge foldout page, 43x33 cm. Robert hooke s flea vote was closed and made a featured picture, making my comment here at the top for visibility only. In his book micrographia 1665, hooke published a series of observations made with magnifying lenses. Perhaps one of his most wellknown contributions to science was the law of elasticity, known as hooke s law, which states that the extension of a spring or wire caused by an applied force is proportional to the force.
The most ingenious book that ever i read in my life. Still astounding today illustration of a flea, 1664, from robert hooke s micrographia. The 28year old hooke published the results in a gorgeous and revolutionary book, micrographia a lovely. By the council of the royal society of london for improving of natural knowledge. Very disappointing as the rest of the book is well produced, however the illustrations are the works most impressive point and this version does them no justice at all. As a young adult, he was a financially impoverished scientific inquirer, but came into wealth and good reputation following his actions as surveyor to the city of london after the great fire of 1666 in which he appears to have performed more than half of all. The project gutenberg ebook of micrographia, by robert hooke. Biography of robert hooke, the man who discovered cells. What id like to talk about right now, though, of the many things to talk about concerning robert hooke, is the most iconographic image he ever produced, and perhaps one of the most famous scientific images of the 17 th centurythe flea. Micrographia by robert hooke page in the teaching with unique collections site. But perhaps his most notable discovery came in 1665 when he looked at a sliver of cork through a. Hooke s wonderful discoveries by the microscope, reprinted and fully explained. Robert hookes micrographia is best known for its greatly magnified views of. He also came up with a theory of elasticity, called hookes law, which was an important contribution to physics.
Unfortunately hookes wonderful illustrations, reproduced in this book, are far too small to discern any details. The flea and the head louse were two insects with which many people were. Handling the book with white cotton gloves and weighted. The most ingenious book that ever i read in my life pepys and. Among the highlights are his famous image of a flea and his coining of the term cell to describe the boxlike cells of cork shown in the image, which reminded him of the cells in a monastery. Micrographia is a historic book by robert hooke, detailing the then thirtyyearold hookes observations through various lenses. This book includes hooke s famous and astonishingly detailed illustration of a flea an image which fills a huge foldout page, 43x33 cm.
Hooke described a flea as adornd with a curiously polishd suite of sable armour, neatly jointed. Who is robert hooke robert hooke facts dk find out. Micrographia by robert hooke london, 1665 posted on 27 march 20 by felicityhen unless youre lucky enough to be an academic or a rare books librarian you probably dont get much opportunity to read copies of the books hooke had in his library. Hookes book came about through his involvement in the royal society in london. The project gutenberg ebook, micrographia, by robert hooke. To commemorate his birthday, we are featuring his book micrographia as julys item of the month hooke published micrographia in 1665 when he was 30 years old. Hooke 16351702 made many contributions to 17th century science but micrographia was his masterpiece. I did a similar search for micrographia which yielded illustrations of robert hooke s flea schem.
The scientist and draughtsman, robert hooke, was a contemporary of. Apr 02, 2015 2015 is the 350 th anniversary of the publication of micrographia by robert hooke. Illustration of a flea, 1664, from robert hookes micrographia. His insect illustrations have been famous and in demand from the time that he made them.
In addition to illustrations of insects, snowflakes, and his famous slice of cork, he also described how to make a microscope like the one he used. Consider the contribution of the microscope, micrographia andor more broadly the royal society in london, to the modern science of the 17th century. Like many other readers after him, pepys was immediately drawn in by the beautiful engravings printed in micrographia, the worlds first fullyillustrated book of microscopy. Robert hooke s micrographia is best known for its greatly magnified views of insects, but he looked through his microscope and telescope at a variety of animate and inanimate subjects and then drew and theorized about them.
Robert hooke 16351703 was not only a scientist, he was a mapmaking pioneer, architect, astronomer, biologist and ingenious experimenter. At the time, hooke was the curator of experiments for the royal society of london, which involved conducting several experiments a week and presenting them to the society. Hooke was an avid reader and buyer and browser, borrower, exchanger, discusser of books, and given they formed such an important part of his intellectual and social life i thought it would be fun to delve a little deeper and find out what was on the shelves in hooke s library. Artwork by robert hooke flea, from micrographia, lister. Without it, perhaps, there would be no stubbs, constable and hirst. It is particularly notable for being the first book to illustrate insects, plants etc. Flea, engraving by an unknown engraver after an original by robert hooke 16351703 for his micrographia, or some physiological descriptions of minute bodies made by magnifying glasses with observations and inquiries thereupon london, printed by j. The 28year old hooke published the results in a gorgeous and revolutionary book, micrographia a lovely etext edition appears at gutenberg, here in 1665, which became an instant best seller and highly praised and valued. But perhaps his most notable discovery came in 1665 when he looked at a sliver of cork through a microscope lens and discovered cells. While visiting his bookseller on a frosty day in early january 1665 pepys noticed a copy of robert hooke s micrographia, which, pepys recorded in his diary, is so pretty that i presently bespoke it. Jan, 2020 robert hooke july 18, 1635march 3, 1703 was a 17thcentury natural philosopheran early scientistnoted for a variety of observations of the natural world. He also came up with a theory of elasticity, called hooke s law, which was an important contribution to physics. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Robert hooke, micrographia, flea wellcome l0043503.
Hooke worked in the royal society as head of experiments and his scientific interests were wide. His book micrographia shown here, was the first important work on microscopy the study of minute objects by means of a microscope. The flea and the head louse were two insects with which many people were familiar. Robert hooke july 18, 1635march 3, 1703 was a 17thcentury natural philosopheran early scientistnoted for a variety of observations of the natural world. Micrographia project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. The project gutenberg ebook, micrographia, by robert hooke this ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. Micrographia by robert hooke, 1665 the british library. Pdf the incredible, invisible world of robert hooke.
His invention of the compound microscope allowed him to observe a. Perhaps one of his most wellknown contributions to science was the law of elasticity, known as hookes law, which states that the extension of a spring or wire caused by an applied force is proportional to the force. He suggested that the force of gravity could be measured by utilizing the motion of a pendulum 1666 and attempted to show that earth and the moon follow an elliptical path around the sun. First published in 1664, the book contains beautiful illustrations of some of the specimens hooke viewed under the microscopes that he designed. I also had access to elizabeth blackwells a curious herbal, a book containing handcolored illustrations that was also featured in the harry potter exhibit as a source of inspiration for j. Hooke was curator of experiments at the royal microscopical society of london, which was founded in 1660. Drawing of a flea done by robert hooke and published in micrographia in 1665. The publication was funded by the royal society and the popularity of the book helped further the societys image and mission of being the scientifically progressive organization of. Hooke was born on the tiny isle of wight, yet became one of the greatest figures of early. In my book sensations, i try to bridge that gulf by telling the story of british art. Robert hooke 28 july 1635 3 march 1703 the cover of robert hookes micrographia, published in 1665.
In january 1665, samuel pepys described micrographia as the most ingenious book that ever i read in my life. Hooke published micrographia in 1665 when he was 30 years old. Micrographia london, 1665 dec 23, 2016 flea, robert hooke. Nov 02, 2011 an introduction to robert hooke s micrographia by dr william poole, official tutorial fellow, new college. Robert hooke, micrographia, flea wellcome collection. Tour eiffel natural flea control flea control for dogs robert hooke bubonic plague. The publication was funded by the royal society and the popularity of the book helped further the societys image and mission of being the scientifically progressive organization of london. A contemporary of sir isaac newton, hooke was curator of experiments at the royal society and professor of geometry at gresham college. Micrographia is a historically significant book by robert hooke about his observations through various lenses. But of greatest interest to our little group of palaeontologists, was a rare first edition folio of robert hooke s study of tiny objects through the microscope micrographia. It is his most famous work, and is notable for the stunning illustrations, drawn by hooke himself.
The picture of the flea shown above is one of his most famous images. He was a founding member and curator of experiments at the royal society, an academy at the cutting edge of scientific discovery in britain. Micrographia some physiological descriptions of minute bodies made by magnifying glasses with observations and inquiries thereupon language. Drawing of a flea by robert hooke stock image z375. At the time, hooke was the curator of experiments for the royal society of london, which involved conducting several experiments. By the time the second printing was done in 1667, hooke was focused on assisting architect christopher wren and others in rebuilding london after the great fire of 1666. Flea, from robert hookes micrographia, 1665 illustrations. A drawing of a flea by microscope pioneer robert hooke. Micrographia by robert hooke meet your next favorite book. This book, micrographia, was the first important work on. He then said that it was the cleverest book he had ever read. Hooke, micrographia 1665 hunt institute for botanical.
Published in september 1665, the first major publication of the royal society, it was the first scientific bestseller, inspiring a wide public interest in the new science of microscopy. Hooke s reputation as a biologist rests on his book micrographia, which was published in 1665. Two editions of micrographia were published in hooke s lifetime using the original plates. The book was dedicated to charles ii, patron of the royal society.
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