By Tim Lambert James Simpson was born on 7 June 1811 in the village of Bathgate in Linlithgowshire, Scotland. His parents were the village bakers and he was one of 7 children. However, his mother died when he was 9 years old. James Simpson attended the parish school then when he was 14 he went… Continue reading A Biography of James Simpson
Category: Articles
A Biography of James Clerk Maxwell
By Tim Lambert His Early Life James Clerk Maxwell was one of the great scientists of the 19th century. James was born on 13 June 1831 at 14 India Street, Edinburgh. His father John Clerk Maxwell was a wealthy landowner. His mother was Frances Maxwell. James had a sister but she died in infancy. In… Continue reading A Biography of James Clerk Maxwell
A History of Space Travel
By Tim Lambert The beginning of space exploration In the early 20th century Konstantin Tsiolkovsky (1857-1935) realized that only a rocket could provide propulsion in the near-vacuum of space. He also proposed that a rocket should be built in stages so it would dump each stage when its fuel was exhausted. In 1926 Robert H.… Continue reading A History of Space Travel
Famous Women in the 19th Century
By Tim Lambert There were many famous women in the 19th century. Women were writers and mathematicians. They were also rulers and explorers The following is a list of some of the great women of the 19th century. Mary Kies 1752-1837 Mary Kies was the first American woman to be granted a patent Jane Austen… Continue reading Famous Women in the 19th Century
A Short History of the Planet Venus
By Tim Lambert The Observation of Venus Venus is named after the Roman goddess of love. It’s a bright object in the sky but even when the telescope was invented the surface was hidden by clouds. Nevertheless, Galileo discovered that Venus has phases like the Moon. Then in 1639, Jeremiah Horrocks became the first person… Continue reading A Short History of the Planet Venus
A History of the Moon
By Tim Lambert Observing the Moon The Moon has always been visible, of course, but the Ancient Greeks were the first people to begin to understand it. About 450 BC, an Ancient Greek called Anaxagoras realized that the Moon does not shine with its own light. Instead, its light is reflected from the Sun. Another… Continue reading A History of the Moon
A Short History of The Planet Mars
By Tim Lambert The observation of Mars The planet Mars was named after the Roman god of war. However, it was impossible to observe any details on Mars until the telescope was invented. Galileo was the first person to turn a telescope on Mars in 1610. The telescope Galileo had was not powerful enough to… Continue reading A Short History of The Planet Mars
A Short History of the Planet Mercury
By Tim Lambert The Observation of Mercury Mercury is named after the messenger of the Roman gods. Mercury is visible to the naked eye and it has been known since Ancient Times. In the early 17th century Galileo observed Mercury through his telescope. In 1631 Pierre Gassendi became the first man to observe a transit… Continue reading A Short History of the Planet Mercury
Common Myths About the Middle Ages
By Tim Lambert The Arabs burned the Library of Alexandria This is very unlikely to be true. In ancient times there was a great library at Alexandria in Egypt. According to the story when the Arabs conquered Egypt in 640 AD Caliph Omar ordered all the books in the library to be burned. They supplied… Continue reading Common Myths About the Middle Ages
A History of Jupiter and Saturn
By Tim Lambert Jupiter The planet Jupiter is named after a Roman god. It has been known since ancient times but before the invention of the telescope, nothing could be seen on its surface. Saturn is also named after a Roman god and has also been known since ancient times. In 1610 Galileo discovered 4… Continue reading A History of Jupiter and Saturn