Early American Scientific Instruments and Their Makers (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

Silvio A. Bedini

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 033193258X ISBN 13: 9780331932584

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

Unlocking the tools that built early American science and technology.

This book, Early American Scientific Instruments and Their Makers, surveys the two kinds of instruments that shaped learning and daily life in the American colonies: philosophical and teaching devices, and practical mathematical instruments used by practitioners and mariners. It traces how these tools were made, used, and shared, revealing the human stories behind the gears, dials, and compasses.

The study draws on scattered historical sources to assemble a usable picture of who made the instruments, where they worked, and how these items moved through shops, classrooms, and markets. It highlights the important role instrument makers played in colonial life and in the broader history of science, offering context for collectors, students, and scholars alike. A supplement covering 19th‑century instruments is in progress, while this volume focuses on the first two centuries of colonial America.

• Learn how philosophical instruments and practical tools supported teaching, measurement, and navigation.
• Read about notable makers and shops in places like Boston, including the lives of designers and craftsmen.
• See examples and references to surviving instruments, such as backstaffs, quadrants, and surveying gear.
• Understand how instruments were documented, traded, and preserved in collections and archives.

Ideal for readers of the history of science, antique instrument enthusiasts, and students seeking a grounded, documentary view of early American technology.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 033193258X
• ISBN 13: 9780331932584
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 201