Raffaele Pisano

On Archimedean Roots in Torricelli’s Mechanics

In recent papers we analyzed the historical development of the foundations of the centres of gravity theory during the Renaissance. Using these works as a starting point, we shall briefly present a progression of knowledge with cultural and mathematical Archimedean roots in Torricelli’s mechanics.

Historical Reflections on the Physics Mathematics Relationship in Electromagnetic Theory

In this paper I present a historical inquiry on the relationship between physics and mathematics in electromagnetic theory around the nineteenth century. The investigation is within the domain of the history of physics. By essentially following Maxwell’s fundamental aspects of physics mathematics in his A Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism, some epistemological reflections will be put forth, as well as observations regarding the different scientific approaches between Faraday’s Experimental Researches in Electricity and Maxwell’s science.

The Analysis of Books VII and VIII of Quesiti et inventioni diverse

We analyse Niccolo Tartaglia’s Books VII and VIII of the Quesiti et inventioni diverse. The discussion is organized both from historical and epistemological points of view. Particularly, we will focus on the reasoning proposed by Tartaglia against the arguments of the Aristotelian Problemata mechanica on the accuracy and stability of a balance – with large or small arms, and fulcrum below or above – (Book VII) and concerning the principles of the science of weights (Book VIII). The latter arguments are discussed, taking into account de Nemore’s corpus on the science of weights for exploration of the structure of the shared knowledge of early modern statics, aiming to discuss alternative frameworks, and so distinguishing between individual and shared structures in the literature belonging to early modern mechanics. In this sense, this chapter is devoted to historical epistemology of science, presenting an integrated history and epistemology of scientific methods, which combine epistemological and historical approaches to identify significant historical hypotheses within the relationship between physics and mathematics (physical observations and theoretical mechanical modeling).

Ancient and Modern Statics in the Renaissance

Statics is the science of equilibrium. The term appears in the Latin version (translated by Snel) of Simon Stevin (1548–1620) most famous textbook, Tomus quartus mathematicorum hypomnematum de statica (Stevin 1605, p 5) This work can be considered the hinge between ancient and modern statics. Ancient statics was the science of equilibrium of weights; modern statics is the science of equilibrium of forces. In ancient Greece statics was part of mechanics, the science of transportation of bodies by means of machines. In the Middle Ages and first Renaissance, statics was known as scientia de ponderibus (science of weights); its main object was the study of principles of equilibrium for heavy bodies suspended from a balance. Presently, statics is part of mechanics, which is the general science studying equilibrium and motion of bodies and their assembly, of any kind.

Foreign Editions of Quesiti et inventioni diverse

In this section, we present the results of an historical archive research. It has been finalized to list, as far as possible, the main Quesiti’s foreign editions published in the history of science. We also list some uncertain dates and alleged editions cited in the history of science archives. In some cases we do not yet have historical proofs of some quotations. Our apologies for any relevant items that may be missing.

Niccolò Tartaglia and the Renaissance Society Between Science and Technique

In this section, biographical sketches and philological-historical-epistemological reflections are reported. In particular, we present Tartaglia’s study of mathematics, geometry, arithmetic, ballistics and fortifications.

Translation and Transcription

In this first section we provide some information and background on a selection of writings by and about Niccolo Tartaglio. We have focused on translations into English and Italian, as well as Latin transcriptions of Books VII and VIII of the Quesiti, and Iordani opusolum by de Nemore. Further facsimile texts are added for readers and our critical comments can be found as endnotes to the chapter.

The Emergencies of Mechanics and Thermodynamics in the Western Technoscience-Society during Eighteenth–Nineteenth Century

In this paper, we present a brief history of the development of mechanics and mechanical machines theory (particularly in Lazare Carnot) and consequently the birth and advanced studies in thermodynamics and heat machines (particularly in Sadi Carnot) that influenced science & technology (as technoscience) in Western society between the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. We focus on theoretical aspects of thermodynamics efficiency—for improvements of practical studies from cannons to civil steam engines. Considerations on mechanical and thermodynamic machines and correlated topics like the role played by the impossibility of perpetual motion in mechanical and heat machines are discussed.