The secrets of science were not always jealously kept, even if affordable to only a happy few. The written transmission of the scientific works was mainly found in Latin translations. The Crawford Collection in front of our eyes is there to prove it. The purpose of this part is to focus on the strategies of communication used in our modern times by passionate scholars who desire to communicate their passion.
In the little dark room of the library we get moving in the same direction listening to the librarian talk, dumbfounded at the sight of the manuscripts and books set up chronologically on rectangular L-shape tables. Indeed, how amazing to have at hand these exceptional collection of handwritten manuscripts dating back for some from the early 12th century, all in utterly good condition. But looking at them does not suffice and we were lucky to be given plethora of information, rich in details and anecdotes. We were all standing in front of the tables were all the books had been open to show us what was best relevant to their content: colourful drawings, illustrations - because of course the reading of the content would have been impossible for us to understand the written form of Latin, old German or English.
However, despite the rich content of the librarian speech, some of the communication strategies partly failed in the sense that maybe her passion for these books took over. She did not take into account the fact her audience was for 99% composed of non-native speakers who all had different background knowledge. The delivery of her speech was particularly fast and for some of us it might have been difficult to listen, understand and take notes at the same time. The question is how to convey information presented to an audience of different nationalities. Luckily the material content helped to make an easier connection with what we were told. We had time after the 45 minute talk, to have a closer look at the books and the librarian was happy to answer our questions.
On the overall the enthusiastic style of communication has not really hindered the whole strategy as plenty of material were here to help connect with what we were said. Without any visual support we obviously would have missed a lot regarding the content.
One element distracted us from the books content: it was the cast of Newton's death mask at the corner of one of the table, part of the decor that stirred up our curiosity.
In the little dark room of the library we get moving in the same direction listening to the librarian talk, dumbfounded at the sight of the manuscripts and books set up chronologically on rectangular L-shape tables. Indeed, how amazing to have at hand these exceptional collection of handwritten manuscripts dating back for some from the early 12th century, all in utterly good condition. But looking at them does not suffice and we were lucky to be given plethora of information, rich in details and anecdotes. We were all standing in front of the tables were all the books had been open to show us what was best relevant to their content: colourful drawings, illustrations - because of course the reading of the content would have been impossible for us to understand the written form of Latin, old German or English.
However, despite the rich content of the librarian speech, some of the communication strategies partly failed in the sense that maybe her passion for these books took over. She did not take into account the fact her audience was for 99% composed of non-native speakers who all had different background knowledge. The delivery of her speech was particularly fast and for some of us it might have been difficult to listen, understand and take notes at the same time. The question is how to convey information presented to an audience of different nationalities. Luckily the material content helped to make an easier connection with what we were told. We had time after the 45 minute talk, to have a closer look at the books and the librarian was happy to answer our questions.
On the overall the enthusiastic style of communication has not really hindered the whole strategy as plenty of material were here to help connect with what we were said. Without any visual support we obviously would have missed a lot regarding the content.
One element distracted us from the books content: it was the cast of Newton's death mask at the corner of one of the table, part of the decor that stirred up our curiosity.
BACK IN A FAR AWAY PAST… 12TH UP TO 18TH CENTURY
This manuscript originally written in Arabic, is the Latin translation of Alhazen's "Book of Optics." Alazhen, was the father of optics whose original works were written in Egypt during the first half of the XI century and translated in Latin in 1269. Sadly all the drawings were cut when the manuscript was bound to suit the standards of bookbinding.
However it has to be pointed out that should any errors in the initial transcription have occurred they would have been copied in the copies following the original translation - making translators responsible for altering the content of the original.
ASTROLOGY MANUSCRIPT - 1450
This XV century German astrology book (unknown author) contains articles related to the computing of the calendar, medical issues and other subjects mainly concerning the influence of the planets on human affairs is meant to help physicians to address any kind of disease. The illustrations explain the correspondence in between the diseases that can affect different parts of the body and one's astrological birth sign. .
BOOK OF FATE -1450
Written at the same time as the Astrology Manuscript, the Book of Fate gives sensible advice rather than a forecast. The spinning wheel as seen on the left hand side of the manuscript made it quite interactive.
KEPLER'S HARMONICS MUNDI
Scientists have a lot of imagination and after using colourful illustrations or drawings, in this 1619 edition, Kepler imagined a way to explain the rhythm of the universe and the speed of its planets. This is how he explained the three laws of harmony by representing the keys on a score. Very clever of a man who was willing to share his discoveries to the world, passionate about the belief that there would be a harmony revealed, a single chord that might summon the whole universe: science and music...
NEWTON'S PRINCIPIA MATHEMATICA
First written in Latin in 1686, the book was translated in English six years later, Principia of Mathematica explains the law of gravity among all principles. It was then published in two volumes in 1729 that still remain the first and only translation available to the general public.