⑥ Revolutionary Science▪On the politicization of science during the French Revolution

The French Revolution was the culmination of Enlightenment thinking. But rather than celebrating science, the revolutionaries suppressed ideas and killed the people that held them.

Jones, Steve

Revolutionary Science: Transformation and Turmoil in the Age of the Guillotine Book

2017, ISBN: 1681773090.

Links | BibTeX

Israel, Jonathan

Revolutionary Ideas: An Intellectual History of the French Revolution from The Rights of Man to Robespierre Book

2015, ISBN: 0691169713.

Links | BibTeX

Prefer to read along? Click here for the transcription!

⑤ The Philosopher’s Study▪On alchemy’s transition into chemistry

In the 16th century, alchemy became a victim of its own success. The more it achieved, the more its reputation suffered.

Moran, Bruce T

Distilling Knowledge Book

2006, ISBN: 9780674022492.

Links | BibTeX

Prefer to read along? Click here for the transcription!

④ Between Skin and Bones▪On surgery’s discord with anatomy

In the 16th century, great advances were made in anatomy. Amazingly, this didn’t lead to a single improvement in surgery, which remained crude, cruel, and lethal.

Wootton, David

Bad Medicine Book

2007, ISBN: 9780199212798.

Links | BibTeX

Vesalius, Andreas

De humani corporis fabrica Online

1543.

Links | BibTeX

Prefer to read along? Click here for the transcription!

③ Enchanting Numbers▪On computers’ invention as mechanical calculators

Computing began long before the twentieth century. Mechanical calculators ran on cogs, wheels, and steam engines.

Padua, Sydney

The Thrilling Adventures of Lovelace and Babbage Book

2015.

Links | BibTeX

MechanicalComputing,

How the Pascaline works Online

2012.

Links | BibTeX

Scoble, Robert

A demo of Charles Babbage's Difference Engine Online

2010.

Links | BibTeX

Prefer to read along? Click here for the transcription!

② Beyond the Edge of the World▪On worldviews in Columbus’ time

Columbus discovers America. But more importantly, he discovers discovery itself.

Wootton, David

The Invention of Science Book

2016, ISBN: 978-0141040837.

Links | BibTeX

Britannica, Encyclopædia

Art From The Encyclopædia Britannica (1768–71) Online

1768.

Links | BibTeX

Clavius, Christoph

In sphaeram ioannis de Sacro Bosco commentarius Online

1570.

Links | BibTeX

Prefer to read along? Click here for the transcription!

① Bloody Beginnings▪On blood transfusion as medical cure-all

Daring 17th century doctors try their hand at blood transfusion. With fatal consequences.

Tucker, Holly

Blood Work: A Tale of Medicine and Murder in the Scientific Revolution Book

2012, ISBN: 978-0-393-34223-9.

Links | BibTeX

Harvey, William

Exercitatio Anatomica de Motu Cordis et Sanguinis in Animalibus Online

1628.

Links | BibTeX

Prefer to read along? Click here for the transcription!