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A Research on the Origin of the Scientific Instruments of Robert Hooke

Research Project

Project/Area Number 15500657
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)

Allocation TypeSingle-year Grants
Section一般
Research Field Sociology/History of science and technology
Research InstitutionTokyo Institute of Technology

Principal Investigator

NAKAJIMA Hideto  Tokyo Institute of Technology, Graduate School of Decision Science and Technology, Associate Professor, 大学院社会理工学研究科, 助教授 (40217724)

Project Period (FY) 2003 – 2005
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 2005)
Budget Amount *help
¥3,100,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,100,000)
Fiscal Year 2005: ¥600,000 (Direct Cost: ¥600,000)
Fiscal Year 2004: ¥1,100,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000)
Fiscal Year 2003: ¥1,400,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,400,000)
KeywordsHooke / Instruments / Origin / Royal Society / Navigation / Brass / Clock / Grocer / 王立協会 / 望遠鏡 / 実験機器 / ヘヴェリウス / ロンドン科学博物館 / パリ国立公文書 / 天文観測機器 / グリニッジ天文台
Research Abstract

To perform the project above, I made archival studies in UK (4 times, mainly at the Library of Science Museum) and at Biblioteque National of Paris. In this process, it became clear that I should focus on the emergence of brass-making technology (the crucial material for instruments), and the formation of the craftsman tradition for scientific instrument making.
The result of the research is the following :
1.England was dependent on imported continental brass until the midst of the seventeenth century, and then immigrant craftsmen implanted its technology around 1650s. Domestic production of the brass was achieved in the latter half of the seventeenth century mainly near Bristol.
2.The first group of instrument makers was also immigrant. They were specialized in engravings and also naval instruments, both of which were based on brass technology. At first, they belonged to the Grocer's Company, and gradually moved to the Clockmaker's Company after its establishment in 1631.
These facts strongly suggest that the origin of Hooke's instruments was engravings which had much to do with naval instruments through brass technology. This tradition merged into clock-making, which I supposed to be the origin of Hooke's instruments when the research project was started.

Report

(4 results)
  • 2005 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report Summary
  • 2004 Annual Research Report
  • 2003 Annual Research Report
  • Research Products

    (5 results)

All 2006 2005 Other

All Book (4 results) Publications (1 results)

  • [Book] Robert Hooke : Tercentennial Studies2006

    • Author(s)
      Hideto Nakajima, Michael Cooper, Michael Hunter et al.
    • Total Pages
      335
    • Publisher
      Ashgate, UK
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(和文)」より
    • Related Report
      2005 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Book] Robert Hooke Tercentennial Studies2006

    • Author(s)
      Hideto Nakajima, Michael Cooper, Michel Hunter et al.
    • Total Pages
      300
    • Publisher
      Ashgate Pub.
    • Description
      「研究成果報告書概要(欧文)」より
    • Related Report
      2005 Final Research Report Summary
  • [Book] Robert Hooke : Tercentennial Studies2006

    • Author(s)
      Hideto Nakajima, Michael Cooper, Michael Hunter et al.
    • Total Pages
      300
    • Publisher
      Ashgate, UK.
    • Related Report
      2005 Annual Research Report
  • [Book] Robert Hooke Tercentennial Studies2005

    • Author(s)
      Nakajima Hideto, Michael Hunter, Michel Cooperほか
    • Publisher
      Ashgate Publishing, Hampshire England(印刷中)
    • Related Report
      2004 Annual Research Report
  • [Publications] Hideto Nakajima: "Robert Hooke as an Astronomer"Robert Hooke 2003. 95-103 (2003)

    • Related Report
      2003 Annual Research Report

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Published: 2003-04-01   Modified: 2016-04-21  

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