Description

In 1721, Swedenborg published (among other things) three treatises: Prodromus principorum rerum naturalium . . . (Forerunner of first principles of natural things, or new attempts to explain chemistry and experimental physics geometrically); one titled Iron and Fire; and one titled Finding the Longitude of Places. These were translated by Strutt, and published together in 1847. The first part on chemistry contains Swedenborg’s seminal ideas on crystallography. The second on iron and fire includes an original design for an efficient stove for home heating. The third has a method for longitude determination by lunar observations. Also included are short engineering works on dock and dam construction, and on the determination of the characteristics of ships by experiments with models in tanks forerunner to modern design-testing procedures. Illustrated. Index.