How Did Newton Develop Calculus During a Pandemic?

TL;DR

Newton revolutionized mathematics by developing calculus and making significant optical discoveries during the pandemic year of 1666, when he was 24. This time at home allowed him to conduct crucial experiments, but evidence suggests he had already made substantial progress before then. His achievements continue to inspire others to maximize productivity during challenging times.

Transcript

so there's the the story of uh newton coming up with quite a few ideas uh during a pandemic we're uh on the outskirts of a pandemic ourselves right and a lot of people use that example as motivation for everybody while they're in lockdown to get stuff done uh so what's that about can you tell the story of that well i can let me first say that uh of... Read More

Key Insights

• 🧑‍🏫 Newton's lectures during the pandemic were not well-received, suggesting that being a great scientist doesn't necessarily make one a great teacher.
• ⌛ Newton's innovations were not solely due to the pandemic; he had already made significant progress before that time.
• 🤪 Going home during the pandemic provided Newton with the opportunity to conduct experiments and work through ideas more freely.
• 👨‍🏫 Being the Lucasian professor at Cambridge provided Newton with resources and support for further experimentation and research.
• 🤕 Newton's achievements during the pandemic demonstrate that age is not a barrier to great accomplishments.
• 🤵 The room where Newton conducted his optical experiments during the pandemic can still be visited today.
• 👯 Newton's productivity and achievements are often used as motivation for people during lockdowns and pandemics.

Questions & Answers

Q: What did Newton create during the pandemic?

Newton’s so-called miraculous year of 1666 included the development of calculus and major optical discoveries. He was about 24 at the time, although his notebooks show that much of his thinking had already developed over the previous couple of years.

Q: Did the pandemic cause Newton’s breakthroughs?

Jed Buchwald does not think going home was essential and says Newton probably could have done the work at Cambridge. The pandemic may have provided an opportunity to work through ideas, but Newton had already made substantial progress beforehand.

Q: How old was Newton during his miraculous year?

Newton was about 24 during the so-called miraculous year of 1666. He had gone to Cambridge at age 18 in 1660.

Q: How did going home help Newton conduct his optical experiments?

At home, Newton could adapt his room for experiments by shading the window, moving things around, and cutting holes in the covering. His experiments involving light moving on the wall were conducted there.

Q: Can Newton’s optical experiment room still be visited?

Yes, the room where Newton performed those optical experiments could still be visited at the time described. A tree grown from cuttings of an apple tree was also visible through the window, though it was not the same original tree.

Q: Was Newton already developing his ideas before 1666?

Yes. Buchwald says Newton’s notebooks show that he had already achieved extensive development during the couple of years before 1666.

Q: What resources did Newton have at Cambridge?

Newton had rooms at Cambridge where he conducted varied work and built an alchemical furnace outside. He later became the second Lucasian professor after Isaac Barrow recognized his genius and gave up the position that would have been his.

Q: What were Newton’s lectures at Cambridge like?

Newton’s lectures were reportedly so complicated that Humphrey Newton said he might as well have lectured to the walls because nobody was there to listen. As Lucasian professor, Newton only had to lecture occasionally and deposit his notes, which helped preserve his work.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Newton's lectures during a pandemic were so complicated that they were compared to lecturing to the walls with nobody listening.

• Newton's journey during the pandemic resulted in significant innovation, including developments in calculus and optical discoveries.

• Going home during the pandemic gave Newton the opportunity to work through ideas and conduct experiments, leading to his remarkable achievements.