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Royal octavo. Pp. (ii), 515, (1). Plus 14 folding engraved plates, bound at end. HARDCOVER, bound in contemporary patterned paper-covered boards, superficially rubbed and chafed in places, worn lettering-piece to spine, slight worm activity in paste-downs, some small dampmarks at blank margin. In a very good condition. Charming copy, clean interior, fine plates, all preserved entirely in the original state in first binding. ~ FIRST EDITION. Petrus van Musschenbroek (1692-1761), a Dutch scientist, was professor in Duisburg, Utrecht, and Leiden, where he held positions in mathematics, philosophy, medicine, and astrology. He is credited with the invention in 1746 of the first capacitor, the Leyden Jar. He wrote many books of importance, among them "Elementa physicae" (Napoli, 1745) and "Introductio ad philosophiam naturalem" which was published posthumously in 1762. His books were translated into Swedish, Spanish, Italian, German and English. It is assumed that only the first 136 pages of the Compendium were written by Musschenbroek, the remainder was written by Johannes Lulofs who edited the work. ~ See: Bierens de Haan 3503. See also: "The History of Science in the Netherlands: Survey, Themes and Reference" (van Berkel, van Helden, Palm). TIMO-1 OUT. Seller Inventory # 5394
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