Instruments

They measure they demonstrate they reveal unseen worlds. Through the agesscientific instruments have been used not only to advance understanding butalso to adva... » 

They measure they demonstrate they reveal unseen worlds. Through the agesscientific instruments have been used not only to advance understanding butalso to advance careers dazzle audiences and impose standards. These elevenessays take stock of the philosophy of instrumentation and the impact of newinstruments in both the physical and life sciences carefully considering theimportant interplay between instruments and authority audience and culture.Contributors include Albert Van Helden on telescopes and authority JanGolinski on the demonstrative order of proof in Lavoisiers chemistry Bruce J.Hunt on the development of electrical standards Deborah Warner on terrestrialmagnetism Bruce Hevly on Stanfords supervoltage Xray tube Robert W. Smithand Jose h N. Tatarewicz on devices and black boxes Thatcher Deane on theimperial astronomical bureau in the Ming dynasty Thomas L. Hankins on LouisBertrand Castels ocular harpsichord Simon Schaffer on demonstration devicesin Georgian mechanics Timothy Lenoir on Helmholtz and the materialities ofcommunication and Robert Frank on instruments biological techniques and theallornone principle. «