DIGGES, Leonard [DIGGES, Thomas]

£50,000 · Offered by Sokol Books

Second and best edition of Thomas Digges fundamental mathematical work, revised and expanded from the edition of 1571, and the first description of many important theories and techniques in English. Digges (1546-1595) was the son of the mathematician and surveyor Leonard Digges (1520-1559), inventor of the theodolite and perhaps also of the telescope. Thomas produced revised or augmented editions of several of his father s works. This edition is essentially identical to the first with two significant additions by Thomas Digges: the Mathematicall discourse of the five Platonicall solides and the first treatment of the science of ballistics in English. Also added to Book I is a short chapter (three leaves) on surveying in mines. Leonard Digges published a small book on practical surveying in 1556, but this more ambitious work was still in manuscript when he died. Thomas, his son, further extended the work and had it published. The early material is essentially that to be found in the works of such authors as Gemma Frisius and Peter Apian (quadrants, astrolabes with shadow scales, etc.). However this book, and his earlier work Tectonicon, are the first descriptions of the application of these instruments written in English. All of the early instruments rely on the use of right-angle triangles in establishing a survey. Digges deals with a different type of survey instrument in a later part of this volume. This is the first description and illustration of the theodolite the name b

• Binding: Hardcover

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