This was the first work in English to publish observations made under the microscope. Its clear descriptions and arresting illustrations revealed structures that until then had been invisible to the human eye: Of the Sting of a Bee; Of Peacocks Feathers; Of the Feet of Flyes, and other Insects; Of the Head of a Fly; Of the Teeth of a Snail; Of the Beard of a wild Oat; Of Diamonds in Flints; Of a Vegetable growing on blighted Leaves; Of a Crab-like Insect. The impact of Micrographia was great: ‘the most ingenious book that ever I read in my life’, noted Samuel Pepys after reading it until 2am.
An introduction to Robert Hooke's Micrographia by Dr William Poole, Official Tutorial Fellow, New College.
Brilliant overview, especially Hooke's thoughts on the Fall of Man and Adam's possible capabilities pre-fall.
Posted by Will Boyd
On 19/11/2013
This is a very important book in the history of science because here, for the first time ever, the reading public could see large pictures of tiny things that they had never seen before.
Posted by Dr William Poole
On 05/09/2011
It was the start of formalised large scale scientific collaboration in England.
Posted by Daphne Morgan
On 05/09/2011
The detail in the images appeals to me; I like being able to get close to the detail. I also have a personal interest in the period and the subject, that is science in the 17th century.
Comments
What makes this a treasure?
Brilliant overview, especially Hooke's thoughts on the Fall of Man and Adam's possible capabilities pre-fall.
Posted by Will Boyd
On 19/11/2013
This is a very important book in the history of science because here, for the first time ever, the reading public could see large pictures of tiny things that they had never seen before.
Posted by Dr William Poole
On 05/09/2011
It was the start of formalised large scale scientific collaboration in England.
Posted by Daphne Morgan
On 05/09/2011
The detail in the images appeals to me; I like being able to get close to the detail. I also have a personal interest in the period and the subject, that is science in the 17th century.
Posted by Howard Benge
On 05/09/2011