On the collision of bodies
Date
17 December 1668
Creator
Unknown, Artist
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p29
Material
Dimensions
height (page): 360mm
width (page): 230mm
width (page): 230mm
Subject
Description
Figures from Christopher Wren's theory of the collision of bodies (Cl.P/3i/45). Although it was reported to the Royal Society on 17 December 1668 and printed in Philosophical Transactions vol. 3, no. 43 (January 1669), Wren argued that he had developed his theory around the time of the foundation of the Society (1660) and that the late Lawrence Rooke (1622-1662) had done trials to verify the theory.
Transcription
Lex Naturae de Collisione Corporum
Transcribed by the Making Visible project
Transcribed by the Making Visible project
Object history
At the meeting of the Royal Society on 17 December 1668, ‘Dr. Wren produced his theory of the collision of bodies, together with some papers containing the various trials made long before to verify that theory. It was read, and ordered to be registered, the author affirming, that he had this hypothesis several years before, when the society began to be formed; and that Mr. Rooke and himself made divers experiments before the society to verify the same: which affirmation of his was seconded and confirmed by several of the members, who were eye-witnesses of those experiments, as the president, Sir Paul Neile, Mr. Balle, and Mr. Hill’ (Birch 2:335).
On 7 January 1669, ‘Sir Paul Neile moved, that Dr. Wren’s hypothesis of motion, brought in December 17, 1668, might be printed in the Philosophical Transactions of this month, which motion was approved, and Mr. Oldenburg desired to take care, that it be done accordingly’ (Birch 2:337).
Printed in ‘A Summary Account of the General Laws of Motion by Dr. John Wallis, and Dr. Christopher Wren,’ Phil. Trans. vol. 3, no. 43 (January 1669), pp. 864-68 (p. 867).
On 7 January 1669, ‘Sir Paul Neile moved, that Dr. Wren’s hypothesis of motion, brought in December 17, 1668, might be printed in the Philosophical Transactions of this month, which motion was approved, and Mr. Oldenburg desired to take care, that it be done accordingly’ (Birch 2:337).
Printed in ‘A Summary Account of the General Laws of Motion by Dr. John Wallis, and Dr. Christopher Wren,’ Phil. Trans. vol. 3, no. 43 (January 1669), pp. 864-68 (p. 867).
Related fellows
Lawrence Rooke (1622 - 1662, British) , Astronomer
Christopher Wren (1632 - 1723, British) , Architect
Christopher Wren (1632 - 1723, British) , Architect
Associated place