Robert Hooke :: biographies bio

Robert Hooke was an Englishman, born in Freshwater, Isle of Wight on July 18, 1635. He died in London on March 3, 1703. During his life he contributed a great deal to the world of science, contrary to what was expected of him at an early age. As a child, Robert Hooke was constantly in poor health. It was never expected that he would live past his childhood. He had frequent headaches which made studying for school very difficult. His parents decided to quit pursuing an education for their son, and Hooke was left to learn on his own accord. He became fascinated by mechanical objects such as toys and clocks. He also developed a talent for drawing. Hooke did survive to see adulthood, and old age. In his 68 years he held many positions in different fields. * Apprentice to Peter Lely, a portrait painter of the time * Professor of geometry at Gresham College in London * Assistant to Robert Boyle * London City Surveyor * Curator of experiments for the Royal Society of London * Lecturer on mechanics * Secretary of the Royal Society of London Robert Hooke invented many instruments for variable purposes. The following is a limited list of his many inventions. * modern air pump * wheel, double, & marine barometers * anchor escapement of clocks * spring control of the balance wheel in watches * arithmetic machine * 1st Gregorian telescope * compound microscope * reflecting telescope * diving engine * spiral gear * universal (Hooke's) joint * iris diaphragm * lens grinding machine * conical pendulum * springy saddle * horizontal sail for windmills * applied telescopic sights to surveying instruments * air gun Robert Hooke's first publication was in 1661, on the subject of capillary action.