It’s a new addition to the Gimmick Science Library today. This time its the biography titled Isaac Newton by James Gleick. This biopic covers the life and work of Sir Issac Newton, the renowned Cambridge professor of science and mathematics.
Newton was one of the leaders of the Scientific Revolution that ultimately lifted Europe out of the dismal Middle Ages led by feudalism, superstition, and oppressive political/social dynamics.
Per the book, Isaac Newton was born on Christmas Day in 1642. As a youth, he developed a strong desire to pursue all things scientific and mathematical. He was schooled at Trinity College at Cambridge University, taught science, served as Lucasian Professor of Mathematics (a position that Stephen Hawking held over 300 years later), and in the midst of all this contributed directly to some of the greatest multi-discipline scientific and mathematical discoveries in mankindโs history.
As a systems engineer/scientist/researcher, I understand how important it is to ingest relevant knowledge, expand it with modern theories, apply them to current scientific engineering development, and improve relevant Space Programs.
A tale of 2 Pandemics: Bubonic Plague (left) and Coronavirus COVID-19 (right).
But what I found most relevant is the times and era that Newton faced. In 1665, Newton and many others fled the larger cities to escape the ravages of bubonic plague which was deadly in 1 of 3 cases. How is it relevant? As of April 2020, I find myself writing this article from home to escape the COVID-19 pandemic that has spread globally at a rapid rate.
Newton may have been an early forbearer of the โwork from homeโ movement, and like now is borne of necessity. He retreated to his familyโs estate and found the time to focus on fringe theories that he before did not have the time and attention to devote himself to at Cambridge.
In further reading in the book, he devised (in part and whole) and/or perfected the world-revolutionary theories of the following:
- The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
- Wavelengths and Compositions of the White-Light Spectrum
- The Law of Gravity
- The Laws of Motion
Newton went on to devise theories and calculations that used part or all of these theories in the following efforts:
- Authorship of the Principia Mathematica, an encyclopedia of the previously-mentioned theories and other topics such as astrophysics and the motion of planets with respect to gravitational attraction.
- Worked and researched alchemy at various points of his career.
- Derived the reflecting telescope, now called the Newtonian scope that used a series of mirrors positioned at approximate distances to amplify light from distant planets and stars and improve on shortcomings that the refracting telescope (like Galileoโs using lenses). Newtonians are still used today (including by yours truly) in several forms as pictured.
- Finally, he (personally) was a student of theology and believed in the existence of a Supreme Deity that derived the Universe based upon established principles of science and doctrines.
Isaac Newton went into deeper detail about the scientific and mathematical efforts including his scientific and social interactions with renowned scientists, mathematicians, and even astronomers of the day. Hooke, Halley, Flamsteed, Leibniz, and others knew Newton and often exchanged questions and ideas The background of the theories he devised was also covered at length and the immediate impacts of the time that led to widespread use going forward and are in use to this day.
Ultimately he served as the President of the Royal Society, head of the Royal Mint, and lived to age 84 after a life of lifting the bar of scientific and mathematical excellence.
I found Isaac Newton by James Gleick to be a fascinating glimpse into the life and impact he had on the world of science, math, and most specifically the past and future of the Space Program. And it is an example of how even in a pandemic (as the world faces now) that creativity and innovation can flourish. I find this book to be fascinating and I once again find a great entry to add to the growing collection of the Gimmick Science Library.
Isaac Newton is available for purchase in written format on Amazon.com or audio version at Audible.com and Scribd. ๏ฟผ
For The Great Galactic Space Gimmick, I’m Gimmick Commander Ben Faltinowski. ๐ ๐ ๐ญ ๐ ๐งช ๐งฎ ๐ซ
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