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Scientific instruments of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries and their makers

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... The Van Musschenbroeks began as Flemish refugees in the early 1600s (Daumas 1972;de Clercq 1997). They opened a brass foundry in Leiden around 1610, producing a range of products including domestic oil lamps. ...
... The Van Musschenbroek workshop made two types of singlelens microscope between 1690 and 1750 (Clay and Court 1932;Daumas 1972;de Clercq 1997). Not all of their order books have survived, so it is not known how many were made, but examples are to be found on the websites of the various microscopy musea around the world, and occasionally on auction sites. ...
Article
A single-lensed microscope made by the Van Musschenbroek workshops between 1690 and 1750 has been examined experimentally, and the method of use established. The results were compared with those obtained with facsimile Van Leeuwenhoek microscopes. As might be expected, each microscope had its stronger and weaker points.
... But how to determine the relation between the piston excursion and the mass of the object to be measured? This is 1 A dividing engine is a device specifically employed to mark graduations on measuring instruments (Daumas 1989). 2 A weighing scale, in general, is a measuring instrument for determining the weight or mass of an object (Daumas 1989 precisely the purpose of a calibration that, through the use of some reference standards, defines a correspondence between the indication of the instrument and the nominal value of the measured quantity. ...
... But how to determine the relation between the piston excursion and the mass of the object to be measured? This is 1 A dividing engine is a device specifically employed to mark graduations on measuring instruments (Daumas 1989). 2 A weighing scale, in general, is a measuring instrument for determining the weight or mass of an object (Daumas 1989 precisely the purpose of a calibration that, through the use of some reference standards, defines a correspondence between the indication of the instrument and the nominal value of the measured quantity. In the example, this means defining an appropriate measurement scale. ...
Chapter
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Precision and accuracy are of prime interest when analyzing quality in a measurement procedure. Precision provides information about the dispersion of the measured values with respect to the true value of the measurand. It describes an internal quality of the measurement process. In general, it is expressed by means of the uncertainty, which is a non-negative parameter characterizing the dispersion of the quantity values being attributed to the measurand. On the other hand, the term accuracy may only be used in comparison to reference values of the same measurand. Accuracy is a term relating the mean of the measurements to the reference value, while precision is representative of the spread of these measurements. Perfection in measurement can never be achieved since even a precise and accurate measurement will have some remaining uncertainty. It is best to use the term accuracy only as a quantitative term, or for broad comparisons between methods, and use the term uncertainty as the qualitative assessment. When the uncertainty of measurement is evaluated and stated, then the fitness of purpose for a particular application can be properly understood. In the present Chapter the discussion is focused on the principal techniques for uncertainty estimation in Large-Scale Dimensional Metrology applications. Practical examples referring to MScMS-I and MScMS-II are presented and discussed as well.
... But how to determine the relation between the piston excursion and the mass of the object to be measured? This is 1 A dividing engine is a device specifically employed to mark graduations on measuring instruments (Daumas 1989). 2 A weighing scale, in general, is a measuring instrument for determining the weight or mass of an object (Daumas 1989 precisely the purpose of a calibration that, through the use of some reference standards, defines a correspondence between the indication of the instrument and the nominal value of the measured quantity. ...
... But how to determine the relation between the piston excursion and the mass of the object to be measured? This is 1 A dividing engine is a device specifically employed to mark graduations on measuring instruments (Daumas 1989). 2 A weighing scale, in general, is a measuring instrument for determining the weight or mass of an object (Daumas 1989 precisely the purpose of a calibration that, through the use of some reference standards, defines a correspondence between the indication of the instrument and the nominal value of the measured quantity. In the example, this means defining an appropriate measurement scale. ...
Chapter
Indoor GPS is a recent laser-based distributed measurement system for dimensional measurements of large-size objects. The performance of iGPS™ depends both on the characteristics of the system components and their physical configuration. Hence, it is important to characterise its real capabilities and point out how they can be influenced by the system configuration and calibration. This chapter presents the system architecture, its hardware and software working principles and provides an exploratory evaluation of the system’s metrological performance, both in static and dynamic conditions.
... But how to determine the relation between the piston excursion and the mass of the object to be measured? This is 1 A dividing engine is a device specifically employed to mark graduations on measuring instruments (Daumas 1989). 2 A weighing scale, in general, is a measuring instrument for determining the weight or mass of an object (Daumas 1989 precisely the purpose of a calibration that, through the use of some reference standards, defines a correspondence between the indication of the instrument and the nominal value of the measured quantity. ...
... But how to determine the relation between the piston excursion and the mass of the object to be measured? This is 1 A dividing engine is a device specifically employed to mark graduations on measuring instruments (Daumas 1989). 2 A weighing scale, in general, is a measuring instrument for determining the weight or mass of an object (Daumas 1989 precisely the purpose of a calibration that, through the use of some reference standards, defines a correspondence between the indication of the instrument and the nominal value of the measured quantity. In the example, this means defining an appropriate measurement scale. ...
Book
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The last decades have shown great improvements in the field of engineering dimensional metrology. The introduction of modern computational systems, ever more compact microelectronic devices and innovative materials have given a significant impulse to the accuracy and application of traditional devices. Recent developments have included applications both for extremely small-sized and for extremely large-sized objects. Following this, two new branches of dimensional metrology have demonstrated their maximal potentiality: ‘‘nano-metrology'', related to the measurement of extremely small objects, and ‘‘large-scale dimensional metrology'' (LSM), which refers to the measurement of large engineering structures. To begin with nano-metrology, the current widespread success can be ascribed to the new generations of scanning electron microscopes (SEMs) and, even more, to atomic force microscopes (AFMs), which allow us to obtain precise and accurate measurements of very small elements and structures. On the other hand, large-scale dimensional metrology has reached its historic turning point with the introduction of modern very accurate and flexible optical systems. The aim of the present book is to trace and discuss the most recent developments in the field of LSM, with particular attention to so-called distributed systems. Special emphasis is given to topics concerning sensor positioning, system calibration and self-diagnostics, which represent the key elements for the correct functioning of these systems. This book is directed at academics, practitioners and consultants who are responsible for designing the best solutions and tools to manage LSM processes. The text materials can be used in programs for professional practitioners, including quality engineers, manufacturing engineers and procurement specialists. Professionals may also use the material for self study. This book is organized in eight chapters. Chapter 1 introduces large-scale metrology, discussing its goal and giving a short summary of classical instruments. Some of the most recent instruments are then introduced providing a structured classification. turning point for LSM distributed systems. Chapter 3 is dedicated to the technical description of Mobile Spatial coordinate Measuring System (MScMS), a prototypal system developed from the research activity carried out at the Industrial Metrology and Quality Engineering Laboratory of Department of Production Systems and Business Economics (DISPEA) at the Politecnico di Torino. The UltraSound (US) version (MScMS-I) and the InfraRed (IR) version (MScMS-II) are described in detail. A general comparison between these two versions and other existing systems is also presented. Chapter 4 deals with network device positioning and coverage of the measuring area, while Chaps. 5, 6 and 7, respectively approach the topics of system calibration, system on-line self-diagnostics and improvement of system metrological performance. Uncertainty budget evaluation is treated in Chap. 8. All these chapters face the respective topics from a general point of view, enriching the explanation by introducing some practical examples
... The Nonius, created in 1542 by the mathematician and cosmographer Pedro Nunes, was a tool used to perform finer measurements on circular instruments, improving the angular measurements of devices like the astrolabe. [2] DOI: 10.1002/lpor.202000588 ...
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The optical analog of the Vernier effect applied to fiber interferometers is a recent tool to enhance the sensitivity and resolution of optical fiber sensors. This effect relies on the overlap between the signals of two interferometers with slightly detuned interference frequencies. The Vernier envelope modulation generated at the output spectrum presents magnified sensing capabilities (i.e., magnified wavelength shift) compared to that of the individual sensing interferometers that constitute the system, leading to a new generation of highly sensitive fiber sensing devices. This review analyses the recent advances and developments of the optical Vernier effect from a fiber sensing point‐of‐view. Initially, the fundamentals of the effect are introduced, followed by an extensive review on the state‐of‐the‐art, presenting all the different configurations and types of fiber sensing interferometers used to introduce the optical Vernier effect. This paper also includes an overview of the complex case of enhanced Vernier effect and the introduction of harmonics to the effect. Recent developments in the application of the optical analog of the Vernier effect to fiber interferometers allow new levels of improved sensitivities and resolutions to be reached. This review provides a comprehensive analysis on the fundamentals of the effect from a sensing perspective. In addition, the distinct configurations and different variants are discussed, together with future challenges in the field.
... Esses instrumentos entraram em uso para facilitar a resolução de problemas matemáticos, observacionais e experimentais (DAUMAS, 1972;HACKMANN, 1989, TURNER, 1998. Dentre esses instrumentos, encontramos aqueles denominados "matemáticos", isto é, instrumentos concebidos para medir aquilo que Aristóteles (1952) denominava "quantidades" (distância e ângulos) (BENNETT, 1991(BENNETT, , 1998(BENNETT, , 2003. ...
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A Academia Real de Marinha e Comércio da Cidade do Porto foi criada em 1803 pelo príncipe regente D. João VI, substituindo a Aula de Náutica (1762) e a Aula de Debuxo e Desenho (1779) que existiam previamente na cidade. A Companhia Geral da Agricultura das Vinhas do Alto-Douro ficou encarregue de gerir esta academia que se destinava a suprir a falta de profissionais em duas áreas muito importantes para a economia da cidade: o comércio (principalmente de vinhos) e a navegação marítima (via priviligiada para a exportação desses mesmos vinhos para o norte da Europa e para o Brasil). A Academia portuense seguiu, quase integralmente, os estatutos da sua congénere lisboeta, a Academia Real de Marinha, o que implicou a criação de três anos matemáticos, iniciando-se assim, o ensino de Matemática de nível superior na cidade do Porto.
... Naquela época, proliferaram muitas oficinas dedicadas à fabricação de instrumentos matemáticos em várias regiões da Europa, principalmente em Louvain, Nuremberg, Florença e Londres. (DAUMAS, 1972;CONNER, 2005). Nesse particular, estudos em história da ciência têm apresentado muitas evidências de que diferentes setores de atividades intercambiaram não só conhecimentos técnicos, mas também instrumentos de forma deliberada e consciente, incentivando os estudiosos a revisarem e a reavaliarem suas práticas e conhecimentos de tal modo a elevar a confiança nas certezas matemáticas. ...
Article
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Este artigo apresenta uma proposta de abordagem teórica para a reconstrução de instrumentos matemáticos na interface entre história e ensino de matemática, a qual contou com um amplo levantamento de uma literatura dedicada à construção e ao uso de instrumentos matemáticos e à geometria prática, muito disseminada entre os séculos XVI e XVII. A análise dessa literatura revelou interessantes aspectos matemáticos e epistemológicos do saber matemático que podem ser explorados na formação de professores de diferentes níveis. Este artigo dá especial atenção à ideia de reconstruir esses instrumentos com vistas a refletir e a discutir sobre os condicionantes manipulativos e os conhecimentos geométricos mobilizados no processo de sua reconstrução. A reconstrução e o manuseio desses instrumentos têm nos conduzido a revisitar e a discutir sobre alguns procedimentos mecânicos e racionais ligados ao processo de elaboração do conhecimento matemático. Tendo por base a ideia de que o instrumento matemático não só é mero artefato, mas também meio para construir conhecimento, este trabalho tem por objetivo estimular a reflexão sobre e contribuir para a formação crítica de professores de matemática.
... A classical method to overcome chromatic aberration is the use of achromatic lenses [16]. But this method does not work for the full spectrum of electromagnetic radiation. ...
Preprint
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Attosecond science has been transforming our understanding of electron dynamics in atoms, molecules and solids. However, to date almost all of the attoscience experiments have been based on spectroscopic measurements because attosecond pulses have intrinsically very broad spectra due to the uncertainty principle and are incompatible with conventional imaging systems. Here we overcome this major obstacle towards achieving attosecond coherent diffractive imaging. Using simulated attosecond pulses, we simultaneously reconstruct the spectrum, 17 probes and 17 spectral images of extended objects from a set of ptychographic diffraction patterns. We further confirm the viability of this method by successfully performing a ptychographic coherent diffractive imaging experiment using a light-emitting diode with a broad spectrum. We believe this work clear the way to an important unexplored domain of attosecond imaging science, which could have a far-reaching impact across different disciplines.
... The first instrument for measurement of angles was the Groma (four stones hanging from cords arranged at specific angles). Followed by the crossstaff and its improved versions (optical square, graphometer, the sextant, Abney level, etc.) [5]. Continued by the Dioptra, Astrolabe, Theodolite, Vernier, Dividing engine, and electronic instruments based on the measurement of binarily coded circles [6]. ...
Article
This paper presents the description of a cyber-physical system embedded on an FPGA for 3D measurement in structural health monitoring tasks. The implementation technique and performance evaluation demonstrate the contribution of this paper to the mathematical fundamentals adaptation of an on-site rotatory scanning system to a cyber-physical system. In particular, it is described in detail the design of a virtual angle measurement soft sensing technique based on the information conversion of an optoelectronic signal provided by a rotatory scanning system through an FPGA. Behaving the FPGA as the sensor controller and the actuator in the scanning system. Using the measurement of angles through the proposed embedded system, it can be calculated the coordinates and displacement of specific indicators distributed over a structure under observation. Providing online data exchange from on-site measurement to a remote computational station for real-time or posteriorly data analysis.
... [5] Presumably as a result of this visit, Lalande supervised the acquisition of a three-foot quadrant which was shipped to Malta on August 6, 1784. [6] The instrument was constructed by Pierre Mégnié, also known as Mégnié the Elder. In 1779, this instrument maker had received an award of 26001ivres in addition to 12001ivres which was half the prize for a competition instituted in 1774 by the renowned Académie royal des Sciences for the best quadrant of a radius of three feet. ...
Article
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The presence of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem in Malta helped to keep the Maltese Islands in the mainstream of developments in various areas of knowledge. The Order’s achievements in medicine, military architecture and fine arts have been well attested by numerous studies. But the knights’ interests in the natural sciences and mathematics are not well known. Exception however, must be made of the contributions of Deodat de Dolomieu, a French knight commander of the Langue of Navarre, whose exploits in the fields of geology and mineralogy earned him the reputation as one of the leading scientists in those fields in the late eighteenth century. In 1782, Dolomieu turned his attention to astronomy and persuaded Grand Master Emmanuel de Rohan-Polduc to build an astronomical observatory and to engage a full-time astronomer as its director. This article describes the setting up of the observatory, the observations made by its director from the meager records that exist and the controversy arising from some of the observations.
... Esses instrumentos entraram em uso para facilitar a resolução de problemas matemáticos, observacionais e experimentais (DAUMAS, 1972;HACKMANN, 1989, TURNER, 1998. Dentre esses instrumentos, encontramos aqueles denominados "matemáticos", isto é, instrumentos concebidos para medir aquilo que Aristóteles (1952) denominava "quantidades" (distância e ângulos) (BENNETT, 1991(BENNETT, , 1998(BENNETT, , 2003. ...
Data
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... Esses instrumentos entraram em uso para facilitar a resolução de problemas matemáticos, observacionais e experimentais (DAUMAS, 1972;HACKMANN, 1989, TURNER, 1998. Dentre esses instrumentos, encontramos aqueles denominados "matemáticos", isto é, instrumentos concebidos para medir aquilo que Aristóteles (1952) denominava "quantidades" (distância e ângulos) (BENNETT, 1991(BENNETT, , 1998(BENNETT, , 2003. ...
Article
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Neste artigo apresentamos o instrumento como suporte que veicula conhecimentos do "saber-fazer" matemáticos do século XVI. Discorro aqui apenas uma pequena parte de minha proposta de trabalho que procura articular história, ensino e aprendizagem de matemática. Tendo por foco a ideia de "medida" e de "medição", este texto busca por meio da história da matemática, pautada em perspectivas historiográficas atualizadas, apontar para alguns aspectos do processo da construção do conhecimento e suas possíveis implicações no processo de ensino e aprendizagem de matemática. A história da matemática é aqui articulada ao ensino e à aprendizagem com vistas a promover uma reflexão sobre o significado da medida de modo a levantar questões epistemológica acerca da medição. Abstract This paper deals with instrument which embodies knowledge of sixteenth century "knowing by doing" mathematics. I here discuss a small part of my work proposal that aims at articulate history, teaching and learning mathematics. This work focus on the idea of "measure" and "measurement" and is based on a history of mathematics grounded on current historiography trend. Its purpose is to point out some aspects of constructing knowledge and implications in the process of teaching and learning mathematics. In this paper, the history of mathematics is articulated to teaching and learning to promote a reflection on the meaning of measure, raising epistemological questions about the notion of measurement.
... Desde un punto de vista estrictamente técnico los principios de funcionamiento de todos ellos eran idénticos. La concentración de esfuerzos en temas como el llenado del tubo con mercurio sin dejar trazas de aire o vapor en su interior, la definición del punto preciso de lectura de los niveles irregulares de fluido, o su misma luminiscencia, desviaron durante mucho tiempo los intereses en la optimización de las técnicas de producción, lo cual se manifestó en una evolución extremadamente lenta [2]. Desde las primeras versiones surgidas del barómetro con los experimentos del físico y matemático italiano Evangelista Torricelli (1608-1647) [3,4], y la observación de la relación entre la presión del aire atmosférico con la altitud por parte del matemático y filósofo francés Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) [5], este instrumento hizo uso de la tradicional columna de mercurio para la medición de la presión atmosférica. ...
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Eugène Bourdon is the almost unknown inventor of one of the instruments most known by engineers around the World. From its introduction around the middle of XIX century, the Bourdon manometer or tube has been the most employed instrument for measuring pressure at laboratory and industrial scales. Its appearance in the European market, following by that in America, became a starting point for the gradual but firm replacement of the by then very usual mercury manometer through an element that worked based on a different physical principle. Its invention, oblivious to all the by then usual priority polemics around scientific and technological events, subsequently allowed developments in instrumentation and process-control related subjects.
... Wilson 1995, S. 110, Kopal 1969. 32 2,3,4,7,8,9,10,Druckplatten: 1,2,3,7,8,9,keine Vorlage 5,6,11,12 Daumas 1989, S. 105. Murdin 2009, S. 93f. ...
... porém, a sua importância foi acentuada no início do século XVII, quando "novos instrumentos" passaram a ser concebidos em virtude da demanda por novos métodos matemáticos e experimentais 3 (WARNER, 1994(WARNER, , 1990KUHN, 1989;BENNET, 1986; VAN HELDEN, 1983). Tais instrumentos começaram a ser utilizados para facilitar não só a resolução de problemas matemáticos, observacionais e experimentais, mas também para mapear a vasta e nova natureza produzida artificialmente (ALFONSO-GOLDFARB; BELTRAN, 2006BELTRAN, , 2002TURNER, 1998;HACKMANN, 2003HACKMANN, , 1989DAUMAS, 1972). Dentre esses instrumentos, encontramos aqueles denominados "matemáticos", isto é, instrumentos que foram concebidos para medir aquilo que Aristóteles (1952) denominava "quantidades" (distâncias e ângulos) (BENNET, 2003(BENNET, , 1998(BENNET, , 1991. ...
Article
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Este trabalho é dedicado aos instrumentos matemáticos do século XVI. Pautado em tendências historiográficas atualizadas, neste estudo examinamos o instrumento como artefato que incorpora conhecimentos do saber e do fazer matemáticos de uma época e suas implicações nas origens da ciência moderna. Este trabalho tem por base pesquisas e levantamentos pautados em fontes primárias. Especial atenção é dada ao báculo (baculum), um instrumento muito utilizado por agrimensores, navegadores e astrônomos. O báculo é analisado neste trabalho além de sua materialidade, considerando-se não só o instrumento, mas também os tratados que versam sobre ele. O estudo contextualizado de instrumentos matemáticos como o báculo revela importantes aspectos do processo da construção de conhecimento técnico e científico, conduzindo-nos a novas questões acerca da relação entre arte (techné) e ciência.
... porém, a sua importância foi acentuada no início do século XVII, quando "novos instrumentos" passaram a ser concebidos em virtude da demanda por novos métodos matemáticos e experimentais 3 (WARNER, 1994(WARNER, , 1990KUHN, 1989;BENNET, 1986; VAN HELDEN, 1983). Tais instrumentos começaram a ser utilizados para facilitar não só a resolução de problemas matemáticos, observacionais e experimentais, mas também para mapear a vasta e nova natureza produzida artificialmente (ALFONSO-GOLDFARB; BELTRAN, 2006BELTRAN, , 2002TURNER, 1998;HACKMANN, 2003HACKMANN, , 1989DAUMAS, 1972). Dentre esses instrumentos, encontramos aqueles denominados "matemáticos", isto é, instrumentos que foram concebidos para medir aquilo que Aristóteles (1952) denominava "quantidades" (distâncias e ângulos) (BENNET, 2003(BENNET, , 1998(BENNET, , 1991. ...
Article
Full-text available
Este trabalho é dedicado aos instrumentos matemáticos do século XVI. Pautado em tendências historiográficas atualizadas, neste estudo examinamos o instrumento como artefato que incorpora conhecimentos do saber e do fazer matemáticos de uma época e suas implicações nas origens da ciência moderna. Este trabalho tem por base pesquisas e levantamentos pautados em fontes primárias. Especial atenção é dada ao báculo (baculum), um instrumento muito utilizado por agrimensores, navegadores e astrônomos. O báculo é analisado neste trabalho além de sua materialidade, considerando-se não só o instrumento, mas também os tratados que versam sobre ele. O estudo contextualizado de instrumentos matemáticos como o báculo revela importantes aspectos do processo da construção de conhecimento técnico e científico, conduzindo-nos a novas questões acerca da relação entre arte (techné) e ciência.
... Pearson's electrical machine had two glass plates, each 31 inches in diameter, similar to Cuthbertson's machine in Haarlem. 34 He found that the electric discharges first expelled dissolved air before they began to decompose the water itself to produce a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen. In his account of these experiments he described the optimum conditions for success, 35 although the volumes of gas obtained were always very small. ...
Article
George Pearson, the son of an apothecary, studied medicine at Edinburgh under Joseph Black. He entered medical practice at Doncaster in 1777, but moved to London and became a physician at St George's Hospital in 1787. He lectured on chemistry and was the first English chemist to adopt the oxygen theory; he was elected FRS in 1791. One of the first to advocate Jenner's cowpox vaccination, he thought himself superior to Jenner in promoting it. He expected recognition and when this was given exclusively to Jenner, became embittered. His reputation was damaged and he has largely been forgotten.
... Desde un punto de vista estrictamente técnico los principios de funcionamiento de todos ellos eran idénticos. La concentración de esfuerzos en temas como el llenado del tubo con mercurio sin dejar trazas de aire o vapor en su interior, la definición del punto preciso de lectura de los niveles irregulares de fluido, o su misma luminiscencia, desviaron durante mucho tiempo los intereses en la optimización de las técnicas de producción, lo cual se manifestó en una evolución extremadamente lenta [2]. Desde las primeras versiones surgidas del barómetro con los experimentos del físico y matemático italiano Evangelista Torricelli (1608-1647) [3,4], y la observación de la relación entre la presión del aire atmosférico con la altitud por parte del matemático y filósofo francés Blaise Pascal (1623-1662) [5], este instrumento hizo uso de la tradicional columna de mercurio para la medición de la presión atmosférica. ...
Article
Full-text available
Eugène Bourdon es el casi desconocido inventor de uno de los instrumentos más conocidos por ingenieros en todo el mundo. El manómetro, o tubo de Bourdon, ha sido el equipo más utilizado para la medición de presión a escalas de laboratorio e industrial desde su introducción a mediados del siglo XIX. Su aparición en el mercado europeo, y casi inmediatamente después en el americano, se constituyó en el punto de partida para el paulatino pero firme reemplazo del por ese entonces muy común manómetro de mercurio por un elemento que respondía a la aplicación de un principio físico diferente. Su invención, para nada ajena a las usuales polémicas de prioridad de la época surgidas alrededor de importantes eventos científicos y tecnológicos, permitió subsecuentemente desarrollos en áreas relacionadas de instrumentación y control de procesos.
... A razão de termos escolhido uma fonte que tratasse de instrumentos de medida está relacionada à importância que tais instrumentos passaram a ter naquele período. Entre os séculos XVI e XVII, uma série de novos instrumentos, que iam desde o mais simples astrolábio, esfera armilar e quadrante, utilizados por marinheiros e astrônomos, até outros mais sofisticados, como réguas de cálculos e outros aparatos utilizados por filósofos naturais, entrou em uso para facilitar a resolução de problemas matemáticos, observacionais e experimentais [Daumas 1989; Hackmann 1989; Turner 1998]. No que diz respeito aos instrumentos matemáticos, podemos dizer que o seu número aumentou significativamente a partir do século XVI. ...
Conference Paper
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Este trabalho tem por objetivo apresentar as potencialidades pedagógicas de uma atividade que procurou construir e utilizar instrumentos de medida do século XVI. Esta atividade foi desenvolvida em dois momentos. No primeiro, professores e estudantes de pós-graduação em Educação Matemática construíram três instrumentos distintos, tendo por base o tratado “Del modo di misurare”, de Cosimo Bartoli, publicado em 1564: o quadrante geométrico, o quadrante no quarto de círculo e o báculo. No segundo, outros professores buscaram conhecer o funcionamento dos instrumentos para realizarem algumas medições. Nesses momentos, as situações-problemas permitiram articular os conceitos matemáticos dos professores com os historicamente contextualizados.
... A intencionalidade de termos escolhido uma fonte que tratasse de instrumentos de medida está relacionada à importância que tais instrumentos passaram a ter naquele período (Daumas, 1989; Hackmann, 1989; Turner, 1998). Do ponto de vista de Delamain, os instrumentos eram úteis no ensino porque, por meio deles, os princípios matemáticos poderiam ser ensinados ao mesmo tempo em que o seu uso prático era explicado. ...
Conference Paper
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Este trabalho tem por objetivo apresentar um estudo em relação às potencialidades pedagógicas que articulam história e ensino da matemática. Uma atividade didática foi elaborada a partir do tratado "Del modo di misurare", de Cosimo Bartoli, publicado em 1564, cujo problema desencadeador de aprendizagem se configurou no processo de construção e utilização de um instrumento de medida do século XVI, o báculo. As atividades foram desenvolvidas por estudantes do curso de licenciatura em matemática, por professores que lecionam matemática e por mestrandos em Educação Matemática. A análise das atividades permitiu inferir potencialidades pedagógicas em relação à medida e à semelhança de triângulos historicamente contextualizados.
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Maurice Daumas a joué un rôle crucial dans l’histoire des sciences et des techniques en valorisant le patrimoine scientifique à travers l’étude des instruments. Son ouvrage Les Instruments scientifiques aux XVIIe et XVIIIe siècles (1953) est devenu une référence incontournable. L'héritage de Daumas est fondamental, cet article propose une relecture de l’ouvrage au prisme de plusieurs questionnements : l’ouvrage lui-même, sa structure et ses contenus, sa réception au moment de la publication, les apports et les traces laissées dans l’historiographie.
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El auge de la producción de instrumentación científica ligada al nuevo método empírico y a las disciplinas científicas que fueron desarrollándose durante el siglo XVIII, dio lugar a un renovado coleccionismo científico entre las élites ilustradas. Paralelamente a la dotación de laboratorios en las instituciones educativas, las grandes familias nobiliarias configurarán gabinetes de física experimental en sus palacios e introducirán las experiencias más novedosas y espectaculares en sus tertulias y reuniones sociales. La práctica científica y los nuevos instrumentos serán valorados por su carácter educativo, lúdico, de desarrollo del conocimiento científico, así como de las aplicaciones utilitarias en la innovación técnica del país, convirtiéndose a su vez en símbolos de estatus y poder dentro de las jerarquías sociales. Tratar de reconstruir algunas de estas colecciones nobiliarias, valorando su papel en esta etapa de renovación cultural, social y económica, constituye el objetivo de este artículo.
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In 1776, a remarkable celestial atlas was published in Paris with the title Atlas céleste de Flamstéed, whose author is given as “J. Fortin”. Until now, it was very often assumed that the author was the instrument maker Jean Nicolas Fortin (1750–1831). We show on the basis of his death certificate and several other indications that the author was the globe maker Jean Baptiste Fortin (1740–1817). We also provide brief biographies of both individuals, an annotated bibliography on their lives and works, and references to archival materials. - For a rough English translation, see "Linked data" or https://www.researchgate.net/publication/366985534.
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Disputes over whether the Scientific Revolution contributed to the Industrial Revolution begin with the common assumption that natural philosophers and artisans formed distinct groups. In reality, these groups merged together through a diverse group of applied mathematics teachers, textbook writers, and instrument makers catering to a market ranging from navigators and surveyors to bookkeepers. Besides its direct economic contribution in diffusing useful numerical skills, this “practical mathematics” facilitated later industrialization in two ways. First, a large supply of instrument and watch makers provided Britain with a pool of versatile, mechanically skilled labor to build the increasingly complicated machinery of the late eighteenth century. Second, the less well-known but equally revolutionary innovations in machine tools—which, contrary to the Habbakuk thesis, occurred largely in Britain during the 1820s and 1830s to mass-produce interchangeable parts for iron textile machinery—drew on a technology of exact measurement developed for navigational and astronomical instruments.
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Strength prediction of bonded joints remains a challenging task made even further complicated for hybrid joints in which adhesive is supplemented by mechanical fasteners. The present paper complements a series of experimental investigations on hybrid joints combining adhesive bonding with pre-tensioned bolts on galvanised and coated steel substrates, and considering two adhesives. The paper starts with modelling the strength of the bonded connection under the simultaneous action of tensile and compressive normal stresses, and shear. It then presents how these data are moulded into appropriate failure criteria and used the latter as input data for a subsequent full probabilistic finite element analysis. Following the paths of Weibull and subsequent researchers, joint capacity is predicted with reasonable accuracy for a dozen different combinations of substrates, adhesive, and pre-tension level – for which, on average, an accuracy slightly below 10% has been achieved. The results deliver meaningful insights into the subtle relationship between adhesive bonding, mechanical fastening, failure criteria, and resulting predictions methods.
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Many histories of scientific instruments concentrate on their manufacture and original function, but such artefacts as survive often do so in collections – many will have spent far longer in a museum than anywhere else. Alongside the rich literature on the history of scientific instruments, accordingly, there is a body of work on the histories of scientific instrument collections. This survey outlines genres and themes in the historiography of scientific instruments, focusing in particular on display and other collection-based functions. Fluid and contingent, collections are instrumental in the history, heritage, and historiography of science.
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Disputes over whether the Scientific Revolution contributed to the Industrial Revolution begin with the common assumption that natural philosophers and artisans formed radically distinct groups. In reality, these groups merged together through a diverse group of applied mathematics teachers, textbook writers and instrument makers catering to a market of navigators, gunners and surveyors. From these "mathematical practitioners" emerged specialized instrument makers whose capabilities facilitated industrialization in two important ways. First, a large supply of instrument and watch makers provided Britain with a pool of versatile, mechanically skilled labour to build the increasingly complicated machinery of the late eighteenth century. Second , the less well known but equally revolutionary innovations in machine tools-which, contrary to the Habbakuk thesis, occurred largely in Britain during the 1820s and 1830s to mass produce interchangeable parts for iron textile machinery-drew on a technology of exact measurement developed for navigational and astronomical instruments.
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For contemporaries, Britain's success in developing the technologies of the early Industrial Revolution rested in large part on its abundant supply of artisan skills, notably in metalworking. In this paper we outline a simple process where successful industrialization occurs in regions that start with low wages and high mechanical skills, and show that these two factors strongly explain the growth of the textile industry across the 41 counties of England between the 1760s and 1830s. By contrast, literacy and access to capital have no power in predicting industrialization, nor does proximity to coal. Although unimportant as a source of power for early textile machinery, Britain's coal was vital as a source of cheap heat that allowed it over centuries to develop a unique range of sophisticated metalworking industries. From these activities came artisans, from watchmakers to iron founders, whose industrial skills were in demand not just in Britain but across all of Eu-rope. Against the view that living standards were stagnant during the Industrial Revolution, we find that real wages rose sharply in the industrializing north and collapsed in the previously prosperous south. * Preliminary version, please do not cite without permission. The helpful suggestions of Peter Solar are acknowledged.
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In this chapter I focus on De Volder’s treatment of hydrostatics, i.e. the core of his teaching activities at Leiden experimental theatre. The chapter is devoted to discussion of De Volder’s attempt to combine two main models in hydrostatics. First, the Cartesian – which Descartes expounded through his theory of gravity – according to which bodies (either solid or fluid) provided with the same specific weight constantly nullify their reciprocal pressure, so that, for instance, there is no increasing pressure in water. Second, the Archimedean model (assumed by Boyle) according to which the conditions of the floatation of bodies are determined by the different pressures exerted within a fluid. I show that these models are ultimately inconsistent with each other, so that in refraining from publishing his disputations, De Volder might have been partially justified by this problem. Moreover, I consider De Volder’s application of such models to the explanation of the effects of the pressure of air, and its partial overcoming by his assuming, as a key factor determining pneumatic phenomena, the idea of the elasticity of air. This was a notion that De Volder also applied to physiology, and which testifies to his assumption of the Boyle-Mariotte law.
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In this chapter I reconstruct De Volder’s education and intellectual career at Amsterdam, Utrecht and Leiden, by taking into account the biographical elements extant on him – including those on his family, which are important as they offer insights into his Menonnite background, and by extent into De Volder’s ideas on religion – as well as by offering a recognition of the sources for him (especially handwritten ones), of his activities as the founder of the Leiden experimental theatre, and of his epistolary network.
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Resumo: Neste trabalho apresentamos o instrumento como suporte que veicula conhecimentos do “saber-fazer” matemáticos dos séculos XVI e XVII, tendo por foco o “setor trigonal” (trigonal sector) de John Chatsfeild (fl. 1638). Os setores, muito utilizados por artesãos e artilheiros, eram verdadeiras “calculadoras” que ajudavam a simplificar cálculos bastante laboriosos a partir de finais do século XVI. As diferentes escalas que os compõem permitiam realizar variados cálculos não só aritméticos, mas também geométricos e trigonométricos. Entretanto, diferentemente dos tradicionais setores, que comumente são compostos de duas “pernas”, o “setor trigonal” incorpora num quadrante de círculo dois diferentes tipos de escalas e duas réguas por meio dos quais são realizados diferentes cálculos. Umestudo preliminar das partes desse instrumento, bem como de seu uso, tem revelado diversos aspectos das práticas matemáticas nos séculos XVI e XVII em que “matemáticos” e “praticantes de matemáticas” compartilharam não só técnicas, mas também conhecimentos matemáticos.
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All too often the instruments and instrument makers are totally ignored in accounts of historical science, but they, too, played a major role in the study of asteroids. “Throughout the eighteenth century, instrument making continued to provide a route to status as a natural philosopher for its most elite practitioners. Instrument makers such as John Dollond, celebrated for his optical instruments, or his son-in-law Jesse Ramsden, equally celebrated for his astronomical instruments, were both Fellows of the Royal Society.” (Morus 2016:100)
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Some time ago now, Steven Shapin pointed out the extent to which technicians are often invisible in the history of science. Those who labored at experiments, or prepared and made scientific instruments have not so much been written out, but never written into, the history of science as it has been conventionally told. A little mischievously, Shapin suggests that on the rare occasions when technicians are mentioned by their masters, it has usually been as a way of accounting for a mistake or an accident. More recently, and following Shapin's lead, historians of science have started to pay more attention to the place of technicians, instrument-makers and other skilled manual practitioners in the making of natural knowledge. In this overview I survey the recent literature on artisanal science from the early modern through to the modern period, paying particular attention to what accounts of the place of hand-work in the production of knowledge reveals about the politics of knowledge.
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The relationship between G. W. Leibniz and the Dutch draper and microscopist Antoni van Leeuwenhoek (1632–1723) has many facets. For one thing, Leibniz was highly interested in the revolutionary discoveries made by Leeuwenhoek in the field of microbiology, and used—to a certain extent—these results as empirical evidence for some metaphysical principles which he was defending. Second, the relationship between Leibniz and Leeuwenhoek is illustrative of an important sociological aspect of the birth of modern science, namely the close cooperation between scientists, natural philosophers and craftsmen. Leibniz insisted on the need for integration between learned science and technical knowledge in all of his projects for scientific societies; this is a typically Baconian aspect of Leibniz’s ideas about the goals and organization of knowledge which is still waiting to be analysed in full depth. Third, the keen interest Leibniz showed in Leeuwenhoek’s work is part of his broader interest in the emerging microscopy, which was triggering in the last quarter of the seventeenth century a second scientific revolution after the astronomical revolution, assisted by the telescope. Finally, it is noteworthy that in 1715–16, around forty years after their meeting in Delft, Leibniz and Leeuwenhoek began a short correspondence, amounting to ten letters. This exchange was interrupted by Leibniz’s death, and even now has not been published in its entirety.
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Die Erfindung eines neuen Instruments und die Entdeckung seiner Anwendungsmöglichkeiten sind zwei grundsätzlich verschiedene Dinge. Sicher, die Bedeutung der Instrumente für die Dynamik der neuzeitlichen Wissenschaft liegt in der Ausdehnung der erfahrbaren Welt, der Erschließung neuer Klassen von Phänomenen. Die technischen Möglichkeiten der Instrumente liefern dabei eine Art Leitfaden für die Exploration von Gegenstandsbereichen. [1] Doch die Relevanz des Gegenstandsbereiches, der von einem neuen Instrument erschlossen wird, muß erst erkannt werden, ja es muß die Existenz dieses Gegenstandsbereiches selbst erst vermutet werden. Das Teleskop wie das Mikroskop lagen zuerst in den Schaufenstern der Brillenmacher, nicht als wissenschaftliches Instrument, sondern als Spielzeug, mit dem man vertraute Dinge vergrößert betrachten konnte. Galilei hatte sofort die Möglichkeiten des Fernrohrs als wissenschaftliches Instrument erkannt und er hat in seiner ersten Publikation »Sidereus Nuncius« (1610) seine ebenso geniale wie reflektierte Optik mit einer literarischen Kraft verbunden, die das neue Instrument schnell zum Gegenstand einer heftigen Auseinandersetzung machte. Galilei beschrieb nicht nur, was er sah, er begriff auch die Bedeutung des Gesehenen für eine neue Weltordnung und Welthaltung, und er stellte sie herausfordernd gegen die Tradition.
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Die Entwicklung und der Einsatz neuer Instrumente und Apparate ist ein charakteristischer Zug der experimentellen Wissenschaft des 17. Jahrhunderts. Epochemachend wurde das Fernrohr in den Händen Galileis und später die Luftpumpe und das Mikroskop. Jedoch im Gegensatz zu diesen Instrumenten, die für qualitative Beobachtungen eingesetzt wurden, waren die Erfolge mit den Instrumenten, die quantitative Messungen erlauben, wie Waage, Barometer und Thermometer, vorerst gering. Gegen Ende des 16. Jahrhunderts sind — auf den Versuchen Herons von Alexandria aufbauend — die Thermoskope erfunden worden, doch es vergehen nochmals fast hundert Jahre bis sich das Thermometer zu einem brauchbaren Instrument entwickelt, wie wir es heute kennen.
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This article will present methods for a material analysis of historical objects. I reflect on my own research practice and show how I use close study of objects and material fragments to reveal the manufacturing and retail infrastructures surrounding the instruments of early nineteenth-century optician, Philip Carpenter. I consider the methodologies of different media historians and suggest ways of expanding a focused material study into a broader historical framework. Finally, I use the work of historian Fernand Braudel to suggest methods for developing big histories that can answer larger structural and developmental questions beyond the focus of micro-historical frameworks.
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In the surveying there are many instruments and software are available but these are also very costly, like Digital Level(for levelling),Total Station .Hence because of unavailability of such a software there is too much waste of time in calculation and getting output or Report . Also there are possibilities of errors in manual calculation .All the above problem can be solved by this windows based application which will run on both window and mobile. In this application there are two module of surveying namely levelling and Traversing. In levelling point of view there are two option ordinary levelling, precise levelling, It takes data as input data from auto level or tilting level instruments and will apply the earth curvature and refraction correction in data .After applying all the required correction as mention above .It calcu- lates Reduce Level (RL) as output. The output generate by this application is saved in either Excel Format or pd format. We can save it in desire location. Other module of levelling contain Precise levelling. It takes data from the Precise level Instruments. it calculate R of all the point and will save in Excel Format or pd format in desire location. The Second Module of this application have traversing. Which will take data from any Theodolite either Vernier theodolite or micro optic theodolite or total station .It will take initial bearing and included angle of required points. With the help of initial bearing and included angle it �nd the bearing of next line. after that apply the partial latitude and departure formula we can calculate the partial latitude and partial departure .in this way we can calculate the total partial latitude and total partial departure and R or Northing Easting, and Z which are our required thing for traversing.
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The idea to establish an astronomical observatory at the University of Coimbra (OAUC) was inspired by a major reform of that university in 1772. At that time the observatory was planned for the site where the Castle of the city was built. However, mainly due to financial difficulties, its construction stopped after 3 years. Meanwhile a small building was erected (1775–1777) to serve astronomical lessons. The problem of lack of a real and effective observatory to serve true scientific research required a solution that began to be formulated around the years 1785–1790. In this article we explore the problems related with the foundation of the OAUC and discus the importance of astronomical instruments in implementing its primary scientific mission—elaboration of the astronomical ephemeris (1803).
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The history of scales manufacturing and of some important existing scales workshops is summarised. A table presents the most important existing manufacturers and their company profiles.
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The development of the circular dividing engine in England is traced from Henry Hindley and Jesse Ramsden through the improvements introduced by Ramsden's successors to the self-acting engine of William Simms. Particular emphasis is given to the invention, evolution and transmission of the methods used to achieve accuracy in: dividing the wheel; ratching the teeth and matching them to the endless screw; and mounting the cutter. The procedures adopted by Ramsden and Troughton for correcting initial dividing marks are also described.
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This essay argues that The Alchemist played an important but largely unrecognized part in the formation of early modern science. It shows how Jonson’s innovative combination of alchemical content and neoclassical form produced a model of space, time, and dexterity useful for the development of laboratory experience. At the same time, the play demonstrates how new ideas about what a stage was and what it could do created a legacy of ambivalence in the development of the (semi-)public laboratory. Reading Jonson’s play as exemplary, this essay will also indicate why we ought to consider early modern drama more generally as an important conceptual source of the protocols of experimental natural philosophy.
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RESUMEN. Guillaume Amontons (1663-1705) fue un experimentador que se de-dicó a la mejora de instrumentos usados en física, en particular, el barómetro y el termómetro. Dentro de ellos se destacan, en particular, un barómetro plegable, un barómetro sin cisterna para usos marítimos, y un higrómetro. Experimentó con el termómetro de aire e hizo notar que con dicho aparato el máximo frío sería aquel que reduciría el resorte (presión) del aire a cero, siendo así, el primero que dedujo la presencia de un cero absoluto de temperatura. Durante sus estudios sobre el comportamiento del aire estableció que a volumen constante la presión varía en forma inversa a la temperatura. Desarrolló una máquina de combustión externa y fue uno de los primeros en estudiar el roce en las máquinas (leyes de Amontons-Coulomb). ABSTRACT. Guillaume Amontons (1663-1705) was an experimentalist who devoted himself to the improvement of instruments employed in physical experiments , particularly the barometer, and the thermometer. Of special note are a folded barometer, a cisternless barometer to be used at sea, and a hygrometer of his invention. He experimented with an air-thermometer and pointed out that the extreme cold of such a thermometer would be that which reduced the spring of the air (pressure) to nothing, thus being the first to recognize that the use of air as a thermometric substance led to the inference of the existence of a zero of temperature. During his studies on the behavior of air he established that at constant volume the pressure varied inversely to the temperature. He devised an external-combustion machine and was among the first to study problems due to friction in machines (Amontons-Coulomb laws).
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Several pieces of cross-staffs have been found on the wreck of the Stirling Castle on the Goodwin Sands. One has been assembled from parts of staffs found when the wreck was first investigated, and is currently in the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich. Another part of a staff was found in 2001. It is from a cross-staff rather than a back-staff and, except for broken ends, is in good condition. The problems encountered in using such instruments are linked with the loss of Sir Cloudesley Shovell's fleet in 1707.© 2009 The Author
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