Rival mathematician Huygens had done the same three
months earlier, unbeknownst to Hooke.lThe speed of light is first measured by Ole Roemer. He also
uses his mathematical mind to figure out the best shape for
the teeth of a geared wheel to provide the smoothest motion.lHooke accuses Newton of stealing his optics research, and
the Jesuits attack Newton’s optics theories on light and color.1678 lNewton suffers his first nervous breakdown.
ca. 1680lThe symbol commonly used for equals between the years
1600 and 1680, which resembles today’s infinity sign, is
replaced with the symbol =, introduced by Recorde more
than a century earlier.
1687 lWith urging from Edmond Halley, Newton publishes
Principia,considered one of the greatest scientific books of
all time. In it, Newton explains his Universal Law of
Gravitation and his Laws of Motion.1693 lNewton suffers his second nervous breakdown, and leaves
the fields of mathematics, physics, and astronomy research
forever. Three years later, he will take a government job
running the Royal Mint, and become a very wealthy man.1696 lJOHANN BERNOULLI’s student, Guillaume de l’Hopital, uses
his teacher’s lessons without permission as the basis for a
book, and publishes Analyse des infiniment petits pour
l’intelligence des lignes courbes,the first textbook ever
written on calculus.1703 lThe Royal Society of London elects Newton as its president.
1704 lNewton finally publishes his entire optical research, entitled
Optiks,the year after Hooke’s death.1705 lNewton is knighted by Queen Anne for his contributions to
science.1711 lThe Royal Society publishes an article claiming Leibniz,
who is considered the inventor of calculus, plagiarized1678 – 1711 CHRONOLOGY
1678 – 1711 CHRONOLOGY