Reducibly Complex

On this day in varying years, Thomas Edison received several of his patents:

1. In 1886, a patent for an “Electrode for Telephone-Transmitters” (No. 348114). The patent application was dated one year earlier on 12 Jan 1885.

2. In 1897, one of the various patents for a “Phonograph” was issued (No.575151). It was one of several patents relating to Edison’s invention received by the patent office on 3 Dec 1890 that were issued on various dates between 27 Jun 1893 and 30 Sep 1898.

3. In 1909, a U.S. patent for “Waterproofing Paint for Portland Cement Buildings” was issued (No. 909,167) and another for “Waterproofing Paint for Portland Cement Structure” (No. 909,169). Edison also received a patent for “Waterproofing Fibers and Fabrics” (No. 909,806)

4. In 1919, a U.S. patent for  a “Method and Means for Improving the Rendition of Musical Compositions” was issued (No. 1,323,218). Edison’s patent application was dated three years earlier, on 12 Jan 1916.

Some people might argue that Edison was not a scientist, but an inventor. What I would say about this is that the study of History of Science includes the study of History of Medicine and History of Technology. Given that Edison’s inventions were largely technological creations, most often come upon through a scientific process, I believe that it is fitting for this page.

“A mere inference or theory must give way to a truth revealed; but a scientific truth must be maintained, however contradictory it may appear to the most cherished doctrines of religion.”

-Sir David Brewster, physicist noted for his experimental work in optics and polarized light (light in which all waves lie in the same plane.) He is known for Brewster’s Law, which relates the refractive index of a material to its polarizing angle (which is the incident angle at which reflected light becomes completely polarized). He patented the kaleidoscope in 1817.

I have decided to change things up a little bit with the Quote of the Day. From now on the quote will be from someone in science who was born, died, or did something awesome in science on this particular date.

Sir David Brewster was born on this day in 1781.

I love this quote because of it seems to be an explicit argument for evolution vs. religion, but it was spoken by Sir David Brewster three years before Darwin published his famous On the Origin of Species.