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1450
The Invention of the Printing Press
Former stonecutter and goldsmith Gutenburg created a new method to create large amounts of type quickly: the printing press. He created metal molds of different letters and numbers, which were durable and could be arranged to spell many different words and phrases. The invention of the printing press was what allowed the scientific revolution to spread so far so quickly, and what fueled the invention of more developed printing presses such as modern printers. -
1500
The Heliocentric Theory
The scientist Copernicus created the Heliocentric Theory, stating that planets rotated around the sun, instead of around the Earth, which everybody believed at the time. This theory presented an idea that challenged old beliefs, and paved the way for other scientists to present their ideas and theories about space. At the same time, he helped create modern astronomy by suggesting that the sun was at a fixed point, and the planets rotated around it. -
1540
The New Studies of Anatomy
Leonardo da Vinci said on the topic of anatomy, "I advise you not to trouble with words unless you are speaking to blind men." Vesalius, who was unsatisfied with the descriptions of anatomy of the time, listened to da Vinci and decided to study it in great detail. Vesalius’ studies presented the human body in a series of illustrations. This would later make the study of medicine much easier, as it provided a basis for further studies. -
The Discovery of Bacteria
In the late 1500's, Dutch scientist van Leeuwenhoek used the microscope to discover bacteria. The discovery of bacteria provided a more clear understanding of how the body functions, what causes sickness, and provided an insight into another level of organism. The invention of the microscope also helped propel further discoveries, allowing scientists to study microscopic organisms. -
Proving the Heliocentric Theory
The astronomer Kepler used models, observations, and mathematics to help later prove the Heliocentric theory correct. Kepler using mathematics and models to prove the theory correct created a foundation for future experiments; using a baseline of mathematics and scientific reasoning for experiments would become more credible than using just assumptions and ideas. -
Francis Bacon and Repeated Experiments
Francis Bacon and Descartes lived around the same time. While Descartes claimed that assumptions should be based on facts, Bacon claimed that assumptions should be based a repeatable experiments. This thinking led to the standards of repeating experiments, and allows scientists to recognize outliers in the data. This helps experiments become more precise, and for results to be more accurate. -
The Idea of the Telescope and the Theory of Orbit
The astronomer Galileo proved the theory of orbit correct using a telescope he built that could magnify objects up to 20 times. He was able to see Jupiter's moons orbiting around it, and argued that not everything revolved around the Earth. This new advancement in technology led the way for other, even more advanced technology to be developed and used. Without the first telescope, progress in space exploration may have been severely behind the progress that’s been made. -
Harvey and the Study of Blood
Harvey studied the circulation of blood throughout the body, and how it worked. His studies created a way for more people to understand a pretty complicated system in the body. It helped make antibiotics more effective (since they can be injected directly into the bloodstream) and made future studies possible. -
"I Think, Therefore I Am"
French philosopher Descartes believed that assumptions should be based on concrete facts, and not ideas and thoughts. He knew that he could think, and because of that, he existed. “I think, therefore I am.” This famous thought helped to create a new method of questioning, that followed a progression of logical thinking. This new method of questioning allowed for experiments and new ideas to be conducted and proved more easily, since there was a clear progression to follow. -
The Creation of Calculus
In the mid-17th century, Isaac Newton and Gottfried Liebnitz developed calculus independently, not working together. Calculus is the study of how things change. The invention of calculus provided a concrete way to measure change, from complicated equations used when building satellites to simpler equations used when calculating the change in stock market shares or store prices. -
The Development of Chemistry
Irish-English scientist Boyle showed in 1662 that temperature and pressure affects the space that gas takes up. This discovery helped to pioneer the study of chemistry, showing how a certain form of matter can be changed, depending on other variables. This idea is used in chemistry to fuel ideas and experiments. -
The Discovery of Gravity
Isaac Newton discovered gravity when he saw an apple falling from a tree. From this experience, Newton created the theory of gravity, stating that a gravitational pull from the Earth pulled all things downwards. This led to the discovery of universal gravitation. Without the simple experience of seeing an apple fall from a tree, developments in physics and knowledge in space may have been limited severely. -
The Theory of Universal Gravitation
After he discovered gravity, Newton applied that idea to space and the idea of orbit. He proposed that the reason the planets orbit around the sun was because of the sun’s gravitational pull, which kept the planets in place. This idea, combined with the ideas of Kepler and Galileo, changed the way people saw space. Even the Church changed their views to add the new findings. Newton’s idea allowed for updated ideas and experiments that led to even more new findings. -
Matter Can Be Changed
The French scientist Lavoisier discovered in the late 1700’s that fire was caused by a substance rapidly combining with oxygen. He also showed that steam doesn’t completely dissolve, but instead becomes invisible by mixing with the air. He was able to prove through these discoveries that matter can’t be created or destroyed, but it can be changed. This discovery further helped the study of matter. -
The Creation of the Periodic Table
The Periodic Table of elements was created in 1869 by Russian scientist Mendeleev. He organized the 63 known elements of the time by atomic weight, showing connections and differences throughout the table. The invention of the periodic table created a way to organize any future elements discovered, and condenses important information into one neat table. The periodic table is still important today in many areas of science.
