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Isaac Newton’s Gift to Science

Sir Isaac Newton was one of history’s greatest thinkers. Born in England in 1643, Newton focused his early studies on science. He made discoveries about the science of colour and the movements of planets. In 1668, he designed and built a new type of telescope. It was his first big success in science. Newton’s most lasting achievement, however, would be a set of three books.

Newton published these books in 1687, after eighteen months of intense writing and study. The original books were written in Latin and were together called Principia. The books were later translated into English. Principia described Newton’s laws of motion. These laws explained the movement of objects on Earth and throughout the universe. Newton’s laws of motion also helped him develop a theory of gravity, which he also described in Principia. This theory explained how the sun’s gravity keeps the planets in orbit and how Earth’s gravity keeps the moon in orbit. The laws also allowed Newton to figure out the mass of each planet and even why Earth’s oceans have tides.

Edmond Halley, a friend of Newton’s and a famous scientist in his own right, helped with the books. Halley edited Principia and offered support and encouragement. When it was finished, the Royal Society, an important group of scientists, agreed to publish Newton’s books. However, the society then spent all of its money on a book about the history of fishes and could not afford to publish Newton’s work. This was disappointing, but Newton’s friend Halley saved Principia by paying for the books to be printed himself.

Though Principia was published more than three hundred years ago, it is still considered one of the greatest scientific works ever printed. Some even consider it one of the greatest works ever published on any subject. The British astronaut Tim Peake called Newton ‘Britain’s greatest scientist’. In 2014, Peake honoured Newton by choosing the name Principia for his mission to the International Space Station. In December 2016, a copy of Principia dating back to its first printing sold for 253 million rupees! As a result, it set a record as the most expensive printed science book ever sold at an auction.Without a doubt, Principia has stood the test of time. Newton’s Principia is still studied by scientists today, and their sustained interest shows the importance of Newton’s work. It is not likely to be forgotten anytime soon.