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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. -
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Category Archives: History of science
Edweard Muybridge’s grand achievement (1873)
So, now that my book Falling Felines and Fundamental Physics is available for purchase, I’ve been answering questions for editors working on the translated editions that will appear. These questions led me back to doing a little historical research, and … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, History of science
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What a Scientific Englishman thinks of Scientific Americans (1874)
Things are a little crazy here in the United States right now, so as a pick-me-up of sorts, I thought I would share this charming article that appeared in the January 30, 1874 issue of Scientific American: “What a Scientific … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Women in science
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Effects of explosions on the ear (1887)
Here’s another blog post inspired, in part, by my work on my upcoming book on Falling Felines and Fundamental Physics! When we discuss our ideal impressions of science, we often imagine repeatedly doing laboratory experiments in which every variable is … Continue reading
History of the Conservation of Energy: Booms, Blood, and Beer (Part 3)
The final long-awaited conclusion of a trilogy of posts describing the history of the discovery of conservation of energy, inspired by my research on “Falling Felines and Fundamental Physics.” Part 1 can be read here, and part 2 can be … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Physics
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Crookes and the puzzle of his radiometer
This blog post is based on some early experimental writing that was done for my Falling Felines and Fundamental Physics book that was cut from the final draft! As you will see, it was much too long and too much … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Physics, Physics demos
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History of the Conservation of Energy: Booms, Blood, and Beer (Part 2)
Part 2 of a trilogy of posts describing the history of the discovery of conservation of energy, inspired by my research on “Falling Felines and Fundamental Physics.” Part 1 can be read here. In 1798, Count Rumford presented the first … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Physics
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History of the Conservation of Energy: Booms, Blood, and Beer (Part 1)
Another post inspired by my research into my Falling Felines and Fundamental Physics book! Energy cannot be created or destroyed, but merely converted from one form to another. Such is a typical statement of the law of conservation of energy, … Continue reading
Posted in History of science, Physics
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