Wednesday, December 15, 2004

It is always tempting to make a great story, though it may be bad history.

Books | Leaps in the Dark: The Making of Scientific ReputationsThe falling apple that supposedly inspired the theory of gravitation was a myth. As Waller points out, the devious Newton probably used it as a ploy to avoid acknowledging any of his contemporaries. Such moments make a great story, but are bad history.

No comments: