| | 1 | Author: | Anonymous | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | [Eclipses of the sun and moon, 1820-1838], n.d.
| | | | Dates: | Circa 1820-1838 | | | | Abstract: | This collection of astronomical calculations from 1786-1838 consists of various loose notes on eclipses and solar/lunar calculations, including information on an eclipse as witnessed in Canton and Philadelphia. The collection also has a folio size bound volume that diagrams (sometimes with color added) eclipses for the years 1818, 1820, 1822, 1823, 1824, 1829, 1838, as observed in Philadelphia.
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| | | | Call #: | Mss.521.8.Ec6 | | | | Extent: | 1 volume(s) | | | | Topics: | Science and technology | | | | Genre: | Scientific Data | | | | Subjects: | Astronomy. | Eclipses. | |
| 3 | Author: | Grew, Theophilus,d. 1759. | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Tables of the sun and moon fitted to the meridian of Philadephia, [1746-1761], n.d.
| | | | Dates: | n.d. | | | | Abstract: | Theophilus Grew was an astronomer, teacher, and author in Philadelphia. He provided astronomical calculations for many almanacs, including Poor Richard's. This single volume contains Grew's astronomical calculations for 1746-1761 for Philadelphia, which likely served as the basis for data used in almanacs. He was also a teacher. He ran a school before joining the early faculty in what would become the University of Pennsylvania. The volume can shed light on astronomical methods and calculations in early America, and what type of methods may have been taught to students in 1750s Philadelphia.
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| | | | Call #: | Mss.524.G86t | | | | Extent: | 1 volume(s) | | | | Topics: | Education | Science and technology | | | | Genre: | Scientific Data | | | | Subjects: | Astronomy -- Charts, diagrams, etc. | Eclipses. | Spherical astronomy. | |
| 4 | Author: | Genth, F. A. (Frederick Augustus), 1820-1893 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Complete catalogue of the collection of minerals of Dr. F. A. Genth, [n.d.]
| | | | Dates: | n.d. | | | | Abstract: | The bound volume contains a catalogue of Frederick Augustus Genth's library. It is over 100 pages long. Genth was a prominent scientist in Europe and the United States. Born in Germany, he fled during the tumult of 1848, arriving in Baltimore before settling in Philadelphia where he worked as a contract scientist and professor. A large portion of his papers are housed at Penn State.
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| | | | Call #: | Mss.549.G283 | | | | Extent: | 1 volume(s) | | | | Topics: | Science and technology | | | | Genre: | Scientific Data | | | | Subjects: | Minerals -- Catalogs and collections. | |
| 9 | Author: | Rauschardt, Felix Hannibal. | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Arithmetica decimalis oder rechenkunst der geometrischen zehen theiligen ruthen, [and] Tractatus von der fortification, 1648-1649
| | | | Dates: | 1648-1649 | | | | Abstract: | This interesting volume, supposedly found in the Bastille and transferred to Peter DuPonceau in the 19th century, contains information on mathematics and military science. The cover is ornamentally decorated in ink, some of which is colored. The text contains a section on geometry and trigonometry that includes many diagrams and calculations. The second part contains information on fortification and military sciences, some of which seems to apply the mathematics of the previous section to artillery and fortification design. The section on fortifications contains drawings and sketches of forts.
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| | | | Call #: | Mss.511.R19a | | | | Extent: | 1 volume(s) | | | | Topics: | Beyond Early America | Military History | Science and technology | | | | Genre: | Military Records | Scientific Data | | | | Subjects: | Fortification. | Geometry. | Mathematics. | Trigonometry. | |
| 10 | Author: | Alexander, William, 1726-1783 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Variation of the compass, 1773
| | | | Dates: | 1773 | | | | Abstract: | This slender volume is an essay by William Alexander, a prominent figure in New Jersey politics and business. Alexander wrote this essay with the hope that it would spur the American Philosophical Society to support the study of variations in compasses. Alexander's interest in this subject likely had to do with his background as a merchant. He realized compass variations created inefficiencies and risks for captains and the merchants that relied on them. Alexander appeals specifically to the APS's mission by stating that such a study would be "useful to mankind." Alexander's essays shows that he is conversant in many of the current theories about variations. He also proposed a plan for the APS to facilitate a systematic study of compass variations that he believed would produce a clear general law for variations in compasses.
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| | | | Call #: | Mss.522.76.Al2 | | | | Extent: | 1 item(s) | | | | Topics: | Science and technology | Surveying and Maps | Trade | | | | Genre: | Scientific Correspondence | Scientific Data | | | | Subjects: | Astronomy -- 18th century | Compass. | Learned institutions and societies. | |
| 13 | Author: | Priestley, Joseph, 1733-1804 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Experiments relating to phlogiston and the conversion of water into air, 1783
| | | | Dates: | 1783 | | | | Abstract: | This tall, slender volume details Joseph Priestley's experiments with the principles of fire, specifically inflammability, in 1783. The volume contains an essay laying out the theory of and debate surrounding "phlogiston" and then describes the experiments he took to prove its existence.
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| | | | Call #: | Mss.540.1.P93 | | | | Extent: | 1 volume(s) | | | | Topics: | Science and technology | | | | Genre: | Manuscript Essays | Scientific Data | | | | Subjects: | Phlogiston. | |
| 19 | Author: | Billings, William, 1746-1800 | Requires cookie* | | | Title: | Journals of the Ship Apollo, 1789-1791
| | | | Dates: | 1789-1791 | | | | Abstract: | These journals (three volumes) chronicle the voyages of Apollo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1789-1791. William Billings was the captain of this Philadelphia-based ship. The destinations were Oporto and Corunna, and trade was the purpose for the voyages. Nonetheless, the ship's captain, William Billings, used the opportunity to study the Gulf Stream. He made numerous observations about the ocean temperature and weather with the apparent intention of submitting his findings to the American Philosophical Society. He paid particular attention to marking and studying the Gulf Stream. The journals were partially published in with a note in Transactions of the American Philosophical Society shortly after they were received in 1793. The originals are much longer than those published and include additional observations not published and graphs that could not be replicated.
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| | | | Call #: | Mss.656.B49 | | | | Extent: | 2 volume(s) | | | | Topics: | Business and Skilled Trades | International Travel | Trade | | | | Genre: | Meteorological Data | Scientific Data | | | | Subjects: | Meteorology -- Observations. | Voyages and travels. | |
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