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The author of Skulls in the Stars is a professor of physics, specializing in optical science, at UNC Charlotte. The blog covers topics in physics and optics, the history of science, classic pulp fantasy and horror fiction, and the surprising intersections between these areas. -
Category Archives: History of science
Re (not the sun god) hypothesizes a solar atom (1903)
It is fair to say that the decade surrounding the start of the 20th century was an amazingly perplexing time to be a physicist. Mounting experimental evidence strongly suggested that something was amiss with classical physics, especially in the understanding … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Physics
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Brian Switek’s Written in Stone
To anyone who takes even the most cursory look at the natural world around them, it is obvious that life on earth is an amazing, interconnected system that is constantly changing and adapting. The theoretical cornerstone to understanding this system … Continue reading
Posted in General science, History of science
2 Comments
Scicurious reports on an overdramatic rattlesnake bite! (1747)
While researching my Franklin posts, I happened upon a very entertaining paper from 1747, in which a man describes in excessively melodramatic detail the effects of a rattlesnake bite upon himself. In the spirit of interblog cooperation, I passed the … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, History of science
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Benjamin Franklin’s electrical feast! (1748)
While researching my recent post on Benjamin Franklin’s electrical kite I read through much of Franklin’s scientific correspondence, and found quite a few gems! Though there is much of substance yet to be discussed in Franklin’s scientific experiments, I can’t … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, History of science
6 Comments
Benjamin Franklin shocks the world! (1752)
Back in 1752, Benjamin Franklin performed an epic — and incredibly dangerous — experiment. In order to show that lightning is a form of electricity, he flew a kite in a thunderstorm with a key attached. The key drew off … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Physics
18 Comments
Whittaker breaks the irony meter (1910/1953)
I’m currently working my way through E.T. Whittaker‘s monumental A History of the Theories of Aether and Electricity (1910), among other things. Whittaker’s book is a very comprehensive study of electricity and aether that stretches back from the seventeenth century … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, History of science, Physics
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R.W. Wood’s lecture demonstrations (1897-1905)
With all the concerted efforts into popularizing science that goes on these days, it is quite easy to forget that some of the best scientists throughout history put a lot of effort into making their knowledge accessible both to students … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Physics
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Physical Review Letters gives a WARNING!!! (1958)
Though scientific knowledge has increased by leaps and bounds throughout the course of human history, human nature itself hasn’t changed very much! Looking through the old scientific journals, one can find arguments and conflicts that are still in some form … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, History of science
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Alan Hirshfeld's The Electric Life of Michael Faraday
In my blogging on the history of science, I tend to focus on the details of classic experiments — the how, why, and what of scientific history — and don’t dwell as much on “who” actually does the work. The … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Physics, [PhysicalScience]
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Tolman goes silly for similitude! (1914)
This post is for the special “fools, failures and frauds” edition of The Giant’s Shoulders. The early 20th century was clearly an exciting time to be a physicist. In 1905, Einstein published his special theory of relativity, radically revising human … Continue reading
Posted in ... the Hell?, History of science, Physics, [PhysicalScience]
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