Posted by Will (67.31.157.156) on September 01, 2003 at 12:12:03:
In Reply to: Re: Newton posted by John Collins on September 01, 2003 at 10:56:53:
John, you are truly a font of knowledge when it comes Bessler's history and I daresay you know more about the man and his relevance to the science and thinkers of his day than any man alive. Your personal viewpoint is informative and appreciated.
: : Nick,
: : Didn't Newton use his "friends" to discredit Bessler?
: : Pete
: Can I jump in here Pete? I don't think Newton sought to discredit Bessler himself, I think that comments made by him in response to the letters from 'sGravesend and Fischer von Erlach, were seized upon by Desaguliers (Newton's curator of experiments)who had his own agenda, and made use of them for his own ends, namely the promotion of Captain Savery's steam engine, which he had been working on. Desaguliers used the same tactics to dumb down Newcomen's engine too.
: John Collins