ROBERT HOOKE

other inventions.

 

Hooke was the father of many inventions, considering his natural mechanical talents and interest within the scientific field. For example, in the year of 1658, working alongside Robert Boyle, Hooke invented an improved air pump (Burgan, 58). Furthermore, Hooke invented the wheel barometer, an instrument in which a pivoted needle could efficiently measure the surrounding temperature (Westfall, 73). The wheel barometer would thus go on to play a significant role in the scientific field of meteorology (Gest, 3). Yet another scientific invention by Robert Hooke included the weather clock, an instrument in which pressure, temperature, rainfall, humidity, and wind velocity could be recorded all in one device (Westfall, 73). In addition, Hooke formulated the principles of orbital dynamics in 1674 by developing the concept of universal gravitational attraction, in which he specifically related the emission of light and sound to the principles of orbital dynamics (Nauenberg, 15). Although Hooke also invented the spring clock, which eventually became the spring watch, he did not get a patent for this invention even after announcing it in the year of 1675 (Burgan, 61).