TODAY IN SCIENCE HISTORY
NEWSLETTER • 27 DECEMBER
On 27 Dec 1790, James Blundell was born, an English obstetrician and medical researcher whose experiments led to a successful technique of human blood transfusion. Unless you are a medical student or practictioner, you likely have no idea who Blundell was, or what he accomplished. However, you'll find he was eminent enough to have an entry in Medical Portrait Gallery: Biographical Memoirs of the Most Celebrated Physicians, Surgeons Who Have Contributed to the Advancement of Medical Science (1840). From this you can learn more of the state of medical and surgical practice in the early 19th century, and what Blundell contributed.
On 27 Dec 1822, Louis Pasteur was born, a French chemist and a founder of microbiology who prepared important vaccines for several diseases. Today's book pick is: The Private Science of Louis Pasteur (Princeton Legacy Library), by Gerald L. Geison, by Gerald L. Geison, a Princeton University history professor. In giving Pasteur the close scrutiny his achievements and their darker sides deserve, Geison's book offers compelling reading for anyone interested in the social and ethical dimensions of science. Geison presents this unadorned truth after careful research from scrutinizing Pasteur's private papers and laboratory notebooks, available only in recent years. This biography considers the complexities of science as it is actually created, instead of merely clinging to comforting and heroic myths.
It is available from Amazon, typically about New from $51.47. Used from $4.05. (As of earlier time of writing - subject to change.)
 | I am well convinced that Aerial Navigation will form a most prominent feature in the progress of civilization. (1804) — Sir George Cayley, English aeronautical engineer and inventor (born 27 Dec 1773).  |
 | There seems no limit to research, for as been truly said, the more the sphere of knowledge grows, the larger becomes the surface of contact with the unknown. — Sir William Cecil Dampier, British agriculturist and science historian (born 27 Dec 1867). |
 | Dans les champs de l’observation le hasard ne favorise que les esprits préparés. In the field of observation, chance favours only the prepared mind. — Louis Pasteur, French chemist (born 27 Dec 1822). |
| Before you look at today's web page, see if you can answer some of these questions about the events that happened on this day. Some of the names are very familiar. Others will likely stump you. Tickle your curiosity with these questions, then check your answers on today's web page. | |
| Births | |
| | Louis Pasteur, French microbiologist, was born 27 Dec 1822. His contributions were among the most varied and valuable in the history of science and industry. He proved that microorganisms cause fermentation and disease. How many diseases can you name for which Pasteur prepared vaccines? |
 | A German astronomer, born 27 Dec 1571, discovered three major laws of planetary motion, conventionally designated as follows: (1) the planets move in elliptical orbits with the Sun at one focus; (2) the time necessary to traverse any arc of a planetary orbit is proportional to the area of the sector between the central body. Can you name this famous astronomer? |
| Deaths | |
 | Charles Martin Hall (1863-1914) was an American chemist and inventor who discovered the electrolytic method of producing a certain common metal from its ore into wide commercial use. Which metal did he make available at low cost? |
 | Michael Owens (1859-1923) revolutionized an industry by mechanizing production with machines he invented for the purpose. For which industry did he introduce machinery? |
| Events | |
 | On 27 Dec 1831, Charles Darwin set sail from Plymouth harbour on his voyage of scientific discovery aboard a British Navy ship. The Captain Robert FitzRoy was sailing to the southern coast of South America in order to complete a government survey. Darwin had an unpaid position as the ship's naturalist, at age 22, just out of university. Originally planned to be at sea for two years, the voyage lasted five years, making stops in Brazil, the Galapogos Islands, and New Zealand. What was the name of the ship? |
 | On 27 Dec 1956, proof was found of certain cases in the beta-decay of cobalt-60 which indeed did not obey a law which scientists had until then believed. The experiment was conducted by Madame Chien-Shiung Wu. A few months earlier, some scientists may have started to accept that could happen, when a theoretical paper by Lee and Yang proposed the law would have cases in which it was not upheld. What law was the subject of the work by Wu, Lee and Yang? |
Fast answers for the previous newsletter for December 26: germanium • Germany • portable defibrillator • computer • radium.
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