Leibniz’s Correspondence in Science, Technology and Medicine (1676–1701)

James G. O'Hara, Ph.D., (1979), University of Manchester, is an historian of science and technology. During his career, he has taught and done research in Delft, Regensburg, Stuttgart, Munich (Deutsches Museum), Hamburg and Hanover. His research interests include the edition of manuscript papers of historical personages in science and technology (17th–19th centuries). Between 1987 and 2013, he co-edited five volumes of Leibniz’s correspondence in mathematics, science and technology at the Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Library (Hanover).

• PrefaceAcknowledgementsList of IllustrationsIntroduction: The Core Themes1 Biographical Background (1676–1701)2 Mathematics3 Natural Philosophy4 Physics5 Energy Conversion, Transmission, Storage and Power Technology6 Engineering7 Projects8 Alchemy and Chemistry9 Earth Sciences: Geology, Mineralogy, Paleontology and Ethnography, Etymology10 Biology and Life Sciences11 MedicineThe Correspondence: Core Texts1 1676–June 16831 Biographical Background (1676–June 1683)2 Mathematics3 Natural Philosophy and Physics4 Technology: Mining in the Harz District5 Projects: Calculating Machines6 Techno-Economic Projects7 Projects: The Organization of Science8 Alchemy and Chemistry9 Geology, Mineralogy and Paleontology10 Medicine2 July 1683–16901 Biographical Background (1683–1690)2 Mathematics: Infinitesimal Calculus and Other Issues3 Natural Philosophy4 Physics: Celestial Mechanics, Mechanics, Acoustics, Optics and Sundry Topics5 Technology: Mining and Power Technology6 Ballistae – Military Engines and Engineering7 Engineering Science8 Projects: Economics and Administration9 Alchemy and Chemistry10 Geology, Mineralogy and Paleontology11 Biology and Medicine3 1691–16931 Biographical Background (1691–1693)2 Infinitesimal Calculus and Other Mathematics3 Natural Philosophy and Dynamics4 Physics: Celestial and Terrestrial Mechanics5 Physics: Optics6 Engineering Science: Hydromechanics and Mechanics of Fluids7 Projects: Calculating Machines and Cryptography8 Projects: Experiments with Submersible Vessels9 Techno-Economic Projects10 Projects: The Organization of Science11 Medicine4 1694–June 16961 Biographical Background (1694–June 1696)2 Infinitesimal Calculus and Other Mathematics3 Dynamics and Natural Philosophy4 Physics: Celestial Mechanics, Gravitation5 Physics: Optics6 Power Technology and Mining7 Engineering8 Engineering: Ballistae, Military Engines9 Projects: Mathematical Instruments and Calculating Machines10 Projects: Submersibles, Diving Vessels and Navigation11 Projects: Economics and Trade12 Projects: The Organization of Science and Education13 Medicine and Res Medica5 July 1696–16981 Biographical Background (July 1696–1698)2 Mathematics: The Brachistochrone and Isoperimetric Problems3 Mathematics: The Priority Dispute4 Mathematics: Criticism of the Differential Calculus5 Mathematics: Mathematical Textbooks and Sundry Topics6 Natural Philosophy: The Controversy with Papin about “Vis Viva” and “Actio”7 Physics: Optics8 Power Technology9 Civil Engineering, Garden Design and Architecture10 Other Engineering Enterprises11 Process or Chemical Engineering12 Projects: Cryptography13 Projects: Brandy Distillation14 Alchemy and Chemistry15 Paleontology and Earth History16 Biology17 Medicine6 1699–17011 Biographical Background (1699–1701)2 Mathematics3 Natural Philosophy4 Physics5 Astronomy and Calendar Reform6 Power Technology7 Engineering: Manufactories8 Projects: Calculating Machines9 Projects: the Berlin Society of Sciences and the Organization of Science10 Alchemy11 Geology, Mineralogy, Paleontology, Ethnography and Etymology12 Biology13 MedicineEpilogue: Core Theses and Conclusion1 The Ten Theses2 Conclusion and Concluding ThesisBibliographyIndex of NamesIndex of Subjects