An Introduction to the History of Science

The history of science should be given a larger place than at present in general history; for, as Bacon said, the history of the world without a history of learning is like a statue of Polyphemus with the eye out. The history of science studies the past for the sake of the future. It is a story of continuous progress. It is rich in biographical material. It shows the sciences in their interrelations, and saves the student from narrowness and premature specialization. It affords a unique approach to the study of philosophy. It gives new motive to the study of foreign languages. It gives an interest in the applications of knowledge, offers a clue to the complex civilization of the present, and renders the mind hospitable to new discoveries and inventions.

This is a great, short overview of the advances in science from Ancient Egypt through Langley’s aeroplane.

There are only a handful of illustrations, and the text is probably geared towards high school students. This would make a great book for notebooking. It covers the people of science history as well as the discoveries. Join the Royal Society as they cooperate and support each other. Ride alongside Darwin on the voyage of the Beagle. The text even covers the often left-out Arabs during the Middle Ages.

Download An Introduction to the History of Science from gutenberg.org.