The Rise of Scientific Societies

doi:10.1117/3.2265065.ch13

Book: Optical Anecdotes

Author(s): D.J. Lovell

Published: 2004

https://doi.org/10.1117/3.2265065.ch13

Author Affiliations +

Abstract

The efforts of the pre-Seventeenth Century scientists were largely individual undertakings. Intercourse with others was hampered by the scarcity of learned men and the slowness of the early postal systems. As scientific endeavors progressed, there was an increasing desire to discuss one’s observations with one’s peers. Gradually, men began to meet informally to discuss scientific achievements and to carry out experiments.