'Imitable thunder' : the role of gunpowder in seventeenth-century experimental science
The role of gunpowder as a military propellant has been widely studied. Less well understood, however, is its important role in seventeenth-century experimental science. Francis Bacon (1561-1626) called it âimitable thunderâ, a designation indicative of its manifestation of natureâs occult powers. In the subsequent promotion of an experimental philosophy grounded on Baconâs demands for a union of theory and practice, gunpowder appears frequently in experiments, discussions and controversies among Baconâs followers. This thesis focuses on the transference of gunpowder from the battlefield to the laboratory. The Baconians re-valued and redefined it as an inquisitional material. To get to grips with the complex nature of this transition, the approach taken here fuses intellectual history, materials history, and the reworking of historical experiments. This integration reflects the Baconian call for a union of theorising and experiment. It also highlights how common substances could be reconfigured as scientific materials. Furthermore, this thesis demonstrates the diversity of Baconian endeavours to transfer gunpowder from the battlefield to the laboratory. There was little coherence among putative Baconians.
Robertson, Haileigh Elouise
'Imitable thunder' : the role of gunpowder in seventeenth-century experimental science. The role of gunpowder as a military propellant has been widely studied. Less well understood, however, is its important role in seventeenth-century experimental science. Francis Bacon (1561-1626) called it âimitable thunderâ, a designation indicative of its manifestation of natureâs occult powers. In the subsequent promotion of an experimental philosophy grounded on Baconâs demands for a union of theory and practice, gunpowder appears frequently in experiments, discussions and controversies among Baconâs followers. This thesis focuses on the transference of gunpowder from the battlefield to the laboratory. The Baconians re-valued and redefined it as an inquisitional material. To get to grips with the complex nature of this transition, the approach taken here fuses intellectual history, materials history, and the reworking of historical experiments. This integration reflects the Baconian call for a union of theorising and experiment. It also highlights how common substances could be reconfigured as scientific materials. Furthermore, this thesis demonstrates the diversity of Baconian endeavours to transfer gunpowder from the battlefield to the laboratory. There was little coherence among putative Baconians.
role seventeenth_century experimental science role military widely study less_well understood however important_role seventeenth_century experimental science call designation indicative manifestation nature occult power subsequent promotion experimental philosophy ground demand union theory_practice appear frequently discussion controversy among follower focus transference battlefield laboratory valued redefine material get grip complex nature transition take fuse intellectual_history material history rework historical experiment integration reflect call union theorise experiment also_highlight common substance could scientific material furthermore demonstrate diversity endeavour transfer battlefield laboratory little coherence among putative