75/2249 [History of science]. Duhem, P. Les origines de la statique. Paris, A. Hermann, 1905/ 1906, 1st ed., 2 vols., (4),358,(2); VIII,364p., contemp. unif. cl. w. mor. letterpiece, large 8vo.

- Spines sl. sunned.

= Pierre Duhem is regarded as having created the field of the history of medieval science. During his research into the origins of statics he encountered medieval scientists, as Nicole Oresme, whom he consequently regarded as the founders of modern science in opposition to the tendency of the time to regard the Medieval times as dark and unfruitful. DSB IV, p. 225-233: "Duhem was that rare, not to say unique, scientist whose contributions to the philosophy of science, the historiography of science, and science itself (in thermodunamics, hydrodynamics, elasticity, and physical chemistry) were of profound importance on a fully professional level in all three disciplines."