Scientific Centenaries in 1948

Abstract

THE past year has seen the commemoration of the centenaries of many men and institutions, and thus homage has been paid, memories recalled, interest aroused and history enriched. Notable among commemorations in the realm of science and technology were those associated with the Chemical Society, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Royal Netherlands Institution of Engineers, King‘s College Engineering Society, and with Edison, Graham Bell and Denis Papin. Papin‘s work (see Nature, Sept. 27, 1947, p. 422) belonged mainly to the seventeenth century, which saw the foundation of the Royal Society in 1660 and of the Paris Academy of Sciences in 1666. Both these bodies sprang from earlier meetings of men with scientific leanings, and the meetings in France are recalled by the tercentenary of the death of Marin Mersenne, who carried on a large correspondence with men of science and joined with Mydorge, Roberval, Pascal and others in friendly discussions. Born at Souitiere (Sarthe) on September 8, 1588, he was educated at La Fleche, where for a time Descartes was his school-fellow, studied at the Sorbonne and entered the priesthood. He became the superior of a convent of his order in Paris, and he died there on September 1, 1648. An amiable and conciliatory man, he was given to experimenting, translated Galileo‘s mechanics, contributed to mathematics and was much devoted to music.