Robert Hooke

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

Hooke's Diary

20091005

20101129 (R3)

For those of us who studied Physics at school, we may know the name of Robert Hooke from 'Hooke's Law' - the theory of elasticity. However most people will probably be unaware of Robert Hooke's greater contribution to the development of science during the Enlightenment. To his contemporaries, he was the 'ingenius Mr. Hooke'. He developed the microscope, spring pocket watch, a marine barometer, the universal joint (which is still used in cars today), was an architect, astronomer and had done much of the work on gravitational theory before Sir Isaac Newton. Very much the man about town and at the centre of events, Professor Lisa Jardine examines Hooke's diary and the insight it gives us into the world of the Enlightenment scientists.

5 October 1675

By water with Harry to Whitehall. Called first at Merchant Taylors hall. Walked into the Park with Sir Christopher Wren. The King called me to him, bid me shew him my experiment. Followed him through tennis court garden and into his closet. Shewed him the Experiment of Springs. He was very well pleased.

Producer: Sarah Taylor

(Repeat).

Lisa Jardine on what Robert Hooke's diary says about Enlightenment scientists in general.

Hooke And The Royal Society

20091006

20101130 (R3)

The Royal Society celebrates its 350th anniversay this year and in tonight's essay we hear how this week's Enlightenment figure, Robert Hooke was instrumental in its early success. Dr. Felicity Henderson, manager of the RS History of Science events looks through the archives to examine the exploits of the founder members and the Curator of Experiments, Robert Hooke. Their goal was straightforward: they wanted to collect as much information as possible about absolutely everthing (except 'God and the soul', which they decided to avoid from the outset). The Royal Society's motto, 'Nullius in Verba' loosely translates as 'take no-one's word for it'. Felicity sheds light on some of Hooke and his early fellows groundbreaking experiments in their quest to know everything.

Producer: Sarah Taylor

(Repeat).

Dr Felicity Henderson discusses Hooke's influence at the Royal Society.

Hooke's Ideas And Methods

20091007

20101201 (R3)

Robert Hooke was one of the great experimental scientists of his day. He devised the first successful vacuum pump for Robert Boyle in 1659. This revolutionary piece of apparatus, which was a star turn at Royal Society experiment meetings, overturned Aristotle's 2000 year old dictum that 'nature abhors a vacuum'. His work with microscopes led to the publication of his best selling work, 'Micrographia'. A book so riveting that Samuel Pepys sat up until 2 in the morning reading his copy, calling it 'the most ingenious book that ever I read in my life'. Dr. Allan Chapman, from Wadham College, Oxford (Hooke's Alma Mater) charts the progress of Hooke's discoveries as one of the founding architects of modern science.

Producer: Sarah Taylor

(Repeat).

Allan Chapman explores Robert Hooke's revolutionary ideas and methods.

Hooke's Inventions

20091008

20101202 (R3)

Series exploring the work of the scientific pioneer Robert Hooke.

Professor Lisa Jardine examines Hooke's inventions, explores how they were received at the time and how some are integral to the way we live now.

Hooke was at the forefront of invention in the 17th century. As he and his fellow scientists went about their quest to 'know everything', Hooke was continually inventing new ways with machinery, telescopes, microscopes, watches and medicine. Charles II took a great interest in many of his designs and some of his discoveries have lasted through the years and are critical to our lives today. His 'Hooke joint' which he developed for carriages is now used in a rear-wheel drive car to connect the drive shaft to the transmission.

Lisa Jardine discusses how Robert Hooke's inventions were received in the 17th century.

05 LAST

Hooke And The Great Fire Of London

20091009

20101203 (R3)

Architectural historian Dr James Campbell focuses on Hooke's activities after the Great Fire of London. Together with all his scientific commitments at the Royal Society, Hooke was employed as Christopher Wren's right hand man, the surveyor responsible for measuring out the new street-plan of the City of London after the Great Fire of 1666. He assesses Hookes achievements and contribution to the rebuilding of London.

Producer: Sarah Taylor.

(Repeat).

James Campbell discusses Robert Hooke's activities after the Great Fire of London.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	Hooke's Diary	20091005	20101129 (R3)	For those of us who studied Physics at school, we may know the name of Robert Hooke from 'Hooke's Law' - the theory of elasticity. However most people will probably be unaware of Robert Hooke's greater contribution to the development of science during the Enlightenment. To his contemporaries, he was the 'ingenius Mr. Hooke'. He developed the microscope, spring pocket watch, a marine barometer, the universal joint (which is still used in cars today), was an architect, astronomer and had done much of the work on gravitational theory before Sir Isaac Newton. Very much the man about town and at the centre of events, Professor Lisa Jardine examines Hooke's diary and the insight it gives us into the world of the Enlightenment scientists. 5 October 1675 By water with Harry to Whitehall. Called first at Merchant Taylors hall. Walked into the Park with Sir Christopher Wren. The King called me to him, bid me shew him my experiment. Followed him through tennis court garden and into his closet. Shewed him the Experiment of Springs. He was very well pleased. Producer: Sarah Taylor (Repeat). Lisa Jardine on what Robert Hooke's diary says about Enlightenment scientists in general.
02	Hooke And The Royal Society	20091006	20101130 (R3)	The Royal Society celebrates its 350th anniversay this year and in tonight's essay we hear how this week's Enlightenment figure, Robert Hooke was instrumental in its early success. Dr. Felicity Henderson, manager of the RS History of Science events looks through the archives to examine the exploits of the founder members and the Curator of Experiments, Robert Hooke. Their goal was straightforward: they wanted to collect as much information as possible about absolutely everthing (except 'God and the soul', which they decided to avoid from the outset). The Royal Society's motto, 'Nullius in Verba' loosely translates as 'take no-one's word for it'. Felicity sheds light on some of Hooke and his early fellows groundbreaking experiments in their quest to know everything. Producer: Sarah Taylor (Repeat). Dr Felicity Henderson discusses Hooke's influence at the Royal Society.
03	Hooke's Ideas And Methods	20091007	20101201 (R3)	Robert Hooke was one of the great experimental scientists of his day. He devised the first successful vacuum pump for Robert Boyle in 1659. This revolutionary piece of apparatus, which was a star turn at Royal Society experiment meetings, overturned Aristotle's 2000 year old dictum that 'nature abhors a vacuum'. His work with microscopes led to the publication of his best selling work, 'Micrographia'. A book so riveting that Samuel Pepys sat up until 2 in the morning reading his copy, calling it 'the most ingenious book that ever I read in my life'. Dr. Allan Chapman, from Wadham College, Oxford (Hooke's Alma Mater) charts the progress of Hooke's discoveries as one of the founding architects of modern science. Producer: Sarah Taylor (Repeat). Allan Chapman explores Robert Hooke's revolutionary ideas and methods.
04	Hooke's Inventions	20091008	20101202 (R3)	Series exploring the work of the scientific pioneer Robert Hooke. Professor Lisa Jardine examines Hooke's inventions, explores how they were received at the time and how some are integral to the way we live now. Hooke was at the forefront of invention in the 17th century. As he and his fellow scientists went about their quest to 'know everything', Hooke was continually inventing new ways with machinery, telescopes, microscopes, watches and medicine. Charles II took a great interest in many of his designs and some of his discoveries have lasted through the years and are critical to our lives today. His 'Hooke joint' which he developed for carriages is now used in a rear-wheel drive car to connect the drive shaft to the transmission. Lisa Jardine discusses how Robert Hooke's inventions were received in the 17th century.
05 LAST	Hooke And The Great Fire Of London	20091009	20101203 (R3)	Architectural historian Dr James Campbell focuses on Hooke's activities after the Great Fire of London. Together with all his scientific commitments at the Royal Society, Hooke was employed as Christopher Wren's right hand man, the surveyor responsible for measuring out the new street-plan of the City of London after the Great Fire of 1666. He assesses Hookes achievements and contribution to the rebuilding of London. Producer: Sarah Taylor. (Repeat). James Campbell discusses Robert Hooke's activities after the Great Fire of London.